as in polishing
to make smooth or glossy usually by repeatedly applying surface pressure
burnished the floor of the ballroom to a soft luster
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Recent Examples of burnishing
The legacy of the Milan Cortina Winter Games is both physical, in new facilities and infrastructure, and intangible, burnishing Milan’s global image.
—
Colleen Barry, Fortune, 24 Feb. 2026
Most notably, Paxton led numerous legal challenges against the Biden administration over immigration and border policies, often succeeding and burnishing his credentials as a conservative crusader.
—Thomas Beaumont, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2026
Most notably, Paxton led numerous legal challenges against the previous Joe Biden administration over immigration and border policies, often succeeding and burnishing his credentials as a conservative crusader.
—ABC News, 16 Feb. 2026
In addition to burnishing your skills, working with a ski pro also gives you insider knowledge about the resort, Docken added.
—Sara Hansen, Denver Post, 22 Jan. 2026
For most of DeSantis’ term, the state has been governed his desire to serve the needs of the wealthy elite while burnishing his credentials as an audacious renegade.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Jan. 2026
The governor, a potential 2028 presidential contender, has been burnishing his national image after winning a decisive victory last week with his Proposition 50 campaign, which redrew California’s congressional districts to eke out another five Democratic House seats.
—Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 10 Nov. 2025
Further burnishing his reputation are his results at auction.
—Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 9 Nov. 2025
The somber atmospherics and satisfying weightiness allowed Dudamel to show off his new ensemble’s soloists and sections, which have prepped for his arrival by burnishing their sonic gold.
—Justin Davidson, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2025
Colleen Barry, Fortune, 24 Feb. 2026
Most notably, Paxton led numerous legal challenges against the Biden administration over immigration and border policies, often succeeding and burnishing his credentials as a conservative crusader.
—Thomas Beaumont, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2026
Most notably, Paxton led numerous legal challenges against the previous Joe Biden administration over immigration and border policies, often succeeding and burnishing his credentials as a conservative crusader.
—ABC News, 16 Feb. 2026
In addition to burnishing your skills, working with a ski pro also gives you insider knowledge about the resort, Docken added.
—Sara Hansen, Denver Post, 22 Jan. 2026
For most of DeSantis’ term, the state has been governed his desire to serve the needs of the wealthy elite while burnishing his credentials as an audacious renegade.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Jan. 2026
The governor, a potential 2028 presidential contender, has been burnishing his national image after winning a decisive victory last week with his Proposition 50 campaign, which redrew California’s congressional districts to eke out another five Democratic House seats.
—Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 10 Nov. 2025
Further burnishing his reputation are his results at auction.
—Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 9 Nov. 2025
The somber atmospherics and satisfying weightiness allowed Dudamel to show off his new ensemble’s soloists and sections, which have prepped for his arrival by burnishing their sonic gold.
—Justin Davidson, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for burnishing
Verb
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Remove all oil residue from the nail beds before polishing.—
Ariana Yaptangco,
Glamour,
24 Feb. 2026
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Harsh Chemicals and Abrasive Cleaners Avoid using harsh chemicals and abrasive cleaners when cleaning and polishing wood flooring.—
Maria Sabella,
The Spruce,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Dollander experienced a rookie season that ranked somewhere between eating thumbtacks and rubbing a cheese grater on shins.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
3 Mar. 2026
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This research doesn’t offer a fix, though the internet has plenty of advice that may be risky, including rubbing soap or a dryer sheet on the soles.—
Adithi Ramakrishnan,
Fortune,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Among the products her hairstylist used to craft the style, the Nexxus Keraphix Liquid Crystallizer Hair Serum stood out as a great protective, smoothing serum that would fit in anyone’s haircare routine.—
Kaitlin Clapinski,
InStyle,
6 Mar. 2026
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Anything above 220 is considered fine and works well for smoothing edges and buffing the nail surface to a polished finish.—
Lily Wohlner,
Allure,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Burnishing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/burnishing. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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