Synonyms of polish

polish 1 of 2

noun

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

• accomplishment
• refinement
• culture
• education
• civilization
• knowledge
• cultivation
• literacy
• manners
• learning
• scholarship
• elegance
• erudition
• couth
• sophistication
• intellectualism
• cosmopolitanism
• civility
• breeding
• taste
• intellectuality
• politeness
• urbanity
• gentility
• grace
• genteelness
• class
• courtesy
• courteousness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• barbarism
• ignorance
• philistinism
• illiteracy
• rusticity
• parochialism
• provincialism
• barbarianism
• vulgarity
• coarseness
• crudeness
• boorishness
• unsophistication
• churlishness
• clownishness

2

as in gleam

brightness created by light reflected from a surface

buffed the silver plate to a high polish

Synonyms & Similar Words

• gleam
• glint
• glow
• shine
• glare
• sheen
• gloss
• luster
• sparkle
• shimmer
• burnish
• luminance
• illumination
• brilliance
• twinkle
• glimmer
• finish
• glaze
• irradiation
• luminescence
• blink
• glisten
• luminosity
• radiance
• iridescence
• flicker
• radiancy
• refulgence

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• dullness
• flatness
• drabness
• dimness
• dirtiness
• paleness
• grayness
• dinginess
• cloudiness
• gloom
• obscurity
• murkiness
• somberness
• obscureness

polish

2 of 2

verb

ˈpä-lish 

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

• rub
• smooth
• shine
• coat
• gloss
• scrub
• burnish
• buff
• dress
• scrape
• sand
• finish
• furbish
• grind
• varnish
• slick
• glaze
• sleek
• smoothen
• bob
• face
• lacquer
• file
• brighten
• bone
• japan
• veneer
• scour
• sandblast
• sandpaper
• lap
• rasp

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rough (up)
• roughen
• ruffle
• scuff (up)

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

• finish
• complete
• perfect
• get through
• consummate
• accomplish
• do
• finalize
• fulfill
• improve
• execute
• effect
• achieve
• better
• shine
• refine
• enhance
• carry out
• stick out
• perform
• follow through (with)
• enrich
• machine
• carry through
• ameliorate
• amend
• discharge
• round (off or out)
• meliorate
• touch up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• drop
• abandon
• quit
• discontinue
• desert
• forsake

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of polish

Noun

When everyone has access to the same tools, structures and increasingly the same language, polish can’t carry a brand identity on its own. — Amanda Simonian, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026

Both advise sealing the polish with a glossy top coat, to enhance the shade’s juiciness. — Violet Hayward, Vogue, 24 Sep. 2026

Verb

To restore its sparkling shine, use a clean, dry microfiber cloth to polish the pan and give it a like-new shine. — Maria Sabella, The Spruce, 19 Sep. 2026

The sculptures with images are polished in the center, creating mirrors that open up the space, resting on the floor and on the wall. — Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 18 Sep. 2026