Synonyms of burnishing

burnishing

verb

present participle of burnish

as in polishing

to make smooth or glossy usually by repeatedly applying surface pressure

burnished the floor of the ballroom to a soft luster

Synonyms & Similar Words

• polishing
• rubbing
• smoothing
• shining
• scrubbing
• buffing
• glossing
• coating
• grinding
• scraping
• dressing
• furbishing
• finishing
• sanding
• smoothening
• glazing
• varnishing
• filing
• slicking
• japanning
• bobbing
• brightening
• lacquering
• veneering
• facing
• sandblasting
• sleeking
• scouring
• sandpapering
• lapping
• boning
• rasping

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ruffling
• roughing (up)
• scuffing (up)
• roughening

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of burnishing

Charles is an extension of the extension, burnishing the Kushner brand in the heart of Europe. — Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026

China has also entered the fray, with more of an eye to burnishing its image rather than undermining local politics. — The Monitor's Editorial Board, Christian Science Monitor, 6 Oct. 2026

And at a moment when the US is antagonizing allies and has yet to find a way to end its war on Iran that’s destabilizing the global economy, Xi has been burnishing China’s image as a responsible and dependable global leader. — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 23 Sep. 2026

The Obama Presidential Center opening June 18 also bodes well for tourism, both in burnishing the city’s image and creating a new attraction to draw domestic and international visitors to Chicago, Reynolds said. — Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2026

Murdaugh’s father, a grandfather and a great-grandfather were each elected as top prosecutors in the region, burnishing a family reputation that eventually crumbled. — Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 13 May 2026

Shapiro brushed off questions — and Republican criticism — about burnishing his credentials for a White House run. — CBS News, 25 Apr. 2026

He became known for poaching clients, extracting heroic sums for their work, and burnishing their reputations abroad. — Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026

Meghan signed with talent agency WME in April 2023, in hopes of burnishing her profile in the business. — Matt Donnelly, Variety, 17 Mar. 2026