Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

gloss

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of gloss

1 a deceptively attractive external appearance

  • used a computer to give her astrological predictions the gloss of real science
Synonyms of gloss

facade (also façade), veneer, window dressing
Words Related to gloss

cotton candy, fluff, tinsel

fig leaf

charade, front, guise, masquerade, pose, semblance, show

2 brightness created by light reflected from a surface

  • the surface has such a high gloss, you can see your face reflected in it
Synonyms of gloss

burnish, luminance, luster (or lustre), polish, sheen, shine
Words Related to gloss

glare, gleam, glimmer, glint, glisten, glow, shimmer

blink, flicker, sparkle, twinkle

illumination, irradiation

iridescence, luminescence

brilliance, luminosity, radiance, radiancy, refulgence

finish, glaze
Near Antonyms of gloss

dimness, dinginess, dirtiness, drabness, dullness (also dulness), flatness

grayness, paleness

cloudiness, gloom, murkiness, obscureness, obscurity, somberness

gloss

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of gloss

to make smooth or glossy usually by repeatedly applying surface pressure

  • the action of the water will serve to gloss the seal's coat
Synonyms of gloss

buff, burnish, dress, furbish, grind, polish, rub, shine, smooth, smoothen
Words Related to gloss

sleek, slick

coat, glaze, japan, lacquer, varnish

face, finish, veneer

brighten

file, rasp, sand, sandblast, sandpaper, scour, scrape, scrub

bob, bone, lap
Near Antonyms of gloss

rough (up), roughen, ruffle, scuff (up)

Learn More about gloss

  1. See words that rhyme with gloss Dictionary: Definition of gloss Spanish Central: Translation of gloss Nglish: Translation of gloss for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of gloss for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up gloss? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games