1
as in accomplishment
a high level of taste and enlightenment as a result of extensive intellectual training and exposure to the arts
acquired a great deal of polish during his year abroad
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in gleam
brightness created by light reflected from a surface
buffed the silver plate to a high polish
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to rub
to make smooth or glossy usually by repeatedly applying surface pressure
you'll need to polish your shoes with a clean rag before the performance
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to finish
to bring (something) to a state where nothing remains to be done
once you polish the article a bit, it'll be ready to submit
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of polish
Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 3 May 2026
Some of Will and Kate's Instagram followers picked up on the polish, praising the parents for allowing their daughter to buck unspoken traditions that call for muted, demure nails.
—Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 2 May 2026
Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 May 2026
Why had someone polished smooth one of the crania and decorated another with a pattern of scratch marks?
—Literary Hub, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for polish
Noun
After several seasons of towering platforms dominating party dressing, celebrities have been circling back to thin-strap stilettos as a cleaner evening option, especially in gold and silver finishes that add polish without taking over the full look.
—Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 3 May 2026
Some of Will and Kate's Instagram followers picked up on the polish, praising the parents for allowing their daughter to buck unspoken traditions that call for muted, demure nails.
—Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 2 May 2026
Verb
For a go-anywhere bag that’s practical enough for long commutes and polished enough for work, this under-$200 tote is worth a look.
—Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 May 2026
Why had someone polished smooth one of the crania and decorated another with a pattern of scratch marks?
—Literary Hub, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for polish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for polish
Noun
-
His message after the series-opening loss is that one bad game does not make for a lost round in the playoffs, and just to get to this point is already an accomplishment of note.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
4 May 2026
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More accomplishments are in store at the section meet that begins Wednesday with the Division 1 swim prelims at Southwestern College.—
Glae Thien,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
But here the songs are crystal clear, with the clean surfaces and spick-and-spam gleam of a factory floor.—
Andrew Ryce,
Pitchfork,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The conductor Charlotte Rowan, who became the group’s artistic director only a few years ago, has not merely upheld its tradition of communal exactitude but honed it to a gleam.—
Justin Davidson,
Vulture,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The 4-year-old eventually could be seen getting up and walking away, while Berrios-Otero continues to allegedly rub the unidentified child, the warrant affidavits said.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
2 May 2026
-
Expect wagyu brisket, lemon-zested ribs and rubs with hints of curry or tandoori.—
Bud Kennedy,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
TikTok followers watched along as Jessica Kayll, who designs colorful silk robes, finished painting her dress in the days leading up to the gala.—
Beatrice Dupuy,
Chicago Tribune,
5 May 2026
-
But Embiid attempted only three more free throws for the rest of the game, finishing 8-of-9.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
5 May 2026
Noun
-
The control strategies for the double-clutch paddle-shift gearbox have also been improved, cutting shift times at the expense of a bit of refinement.—
Jonathan M. Gitlin,
ArsTechnica,
1 May 2026
-
Outlook also includes refinements for managing email and contacts more efficiently.—
StackCommerce Team,
PC Magazine,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In his work exist iconic signs of beloved local establishments — like the Playpen — the blinding glint reflecting off downtown’s skyline, telephone poles regarded as totems.—
Julissa James,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
-
The bright glint to the left is Venus.—
Denise Chow,
NBC news,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The complementary conditioner dials up the moisture with shea butter, murumuru butter, and amino acids to smooth and strengthen—leaving hair soft, bouncy, and ready for styling.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
28 Apr. 2026
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Its benefits span from firming and lift to smoothing texture and tone.—
Audrey Noble,
Vogue,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The look was completed with pillow-like, puffy material around her feet and neck.—
Dalila Muata,
NBC news,
5 May 2026
-
To complete her dramatic look, Osaka’s hands were dipped in dripping red paint.—
Beatrice Dupuy,
Chicago Tribune,
5 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Polish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/polish. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
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