1
as in smoothes
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in finishes
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of polishes
Plenty of brands already offer or are transitioning to TPO-free formulas that contain different photoinitiators (a chemical that makes gel polishes cure under a lamp instead of air-drying like regular polish) such as TPO-L, BAPO, or other resin initiators.
—
Hannah Nwoko, Parents, 5 Sep. 2025
The vacuum has a fluffy optic cleaner head that not only cleans but also polishes hard floors.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 3 Sep. 2025
Effective immediately, gel polishes with TPO will no longer be legal to sell to consumers or use in salons across the EU.
—Marci Robin, Allure, 3 Sep. 2025
The project’s executive producer Keyflo Music polishes the original track’s breezy amapiano groove, which suitably underscores Jamdong’s new verse.
—Heran Mamo, Billboard, 29 Aug. 2025
The sensorial balm texture tints and polishes the lips, promising 48 hours of hydration encased in a pearl tube with LV-inscribed in gold.
—Essence, 20 Aug. 2025
The high milk content and prolonged conching (which refines and polishes the chocolate) of this 33 percent bar results in melt-in-your-mouth creaminess.
—Rebecca L. Rhoades, Saveur, 20 Aug. 2025
Hannah Nwoko, Parents, 5 Sep. 2025
The vacuum has a fluffy optic cleaner head that not only cleans but also polishes hard floors.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 3 Sep. 2025
Effective immediately, gel polishes with TPO will no longer be legal to sell to consumers or use in salons across the EU.
—Marci Robin, Allure, 3 Sep. 2025
The project’s executive producer Keyflo Music polishes the original track’s breezy amapiano groove, which suitably underscores Jamdong’s new verse.
—Heran Mamo, Billboard, 29 Aug. 2025
The sensorial balm texture tints and polishes the lips, promising 48 hours of hydration encased in a pearl tube with LV-inscribed in gold.
—Essence, 20 Aug. 2025
The high milk content and prolonged conching (which refines and polishes the chocolate) of this 33 percent bar results in melt-in-your-mouth creaminess.
—Rebecca L. Rhoades, Saveur, 20 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for polishes
Verb
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That would mean extending the League One play-off to the team that finishes eighth and the League Two play-off to ninth, as four teams go up and down between Leagues One and Two.—
Matt Slater,
New York Times,
11 Sep. 2025
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As things stand, there's a small chance Brown finishes his career anywhere other than Boston.—
Ricardo Klein,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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As the moon clashes with Mars, a partner’s behavior rubs you the wrong way.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
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Lenker, in plaid, rubs her eyes; James Krivchenia leans forward, sparky and alert; Meek, outdoors in the Topanga sunshine, wears cycling glasses and a frowzy hat.—
Emma Madden,
Pitchfork,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The lucrative pay package would only take effect if Musk completes a series of goals in the coming years.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
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This finale completes her arc in a much more satisfying way than heading up Starfleet Legal ever could have.—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Aveda Hand Relief Moisturizing Crème gets it right with a rich yet fast-absorbing formula that pairs glycerin and aloe vera for lasting hydration, while exfoliating lactic acid gently smooths rough patches.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
10 Sep. 2025
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Oliver Assayas’ topical drama The Wizard of the Kremlin, revolving around a scheming Russian spin doctor who smooths Vladimir Putin’s ascent to power in the 1990s, world premiered in Venice this afternoon.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
31 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Polishes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/polishes. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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