POLISHES Synonyms: 72 Similar and Opposite Words

polishes

verb

present tense third-person singular of polish

as in rubs

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

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 show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of polishes Through processing that polishes the individual wool fibers, the technology allows wool to have more luster, a softer hand feel, drape and elastic recovery. — Sarah Jones, Footwear News, 22 June 2026 Expect to see even tinier dots and minuscule French tips atop jelly polishes in summery shades like fuchsia and blood orange. — Annie Blay-Tettey, Allure, 4 June 2026 Sheer jelly polishes create a seamless ombré effect. — Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 2 June 2026 From there, Sharrow thins down its propeller to precise specification with a five-axis CNC machine and polishes it. — New Atlas, 10 Apr. 2026 Their bestselling Regenerating Cleanser gently polishes away impurities and dullness to reveal a healthy-looking, radiant glow, clinically proven to make skin look brighter, smoother, more hydrated and pores look smaller. — Tory Johnson, ABC News, 7 Apr. 2026 The process polishes the gentle bonhomie that promises to transform even the smallest silences into celebrations. — Archie Forde, Pitchfork, 6 Mar. 2026 In another, Kelly’s character polishes the massive rock on a seat cushion, then lies back to admire it. — Rachel Garrahan, Vogue, 22 Jan. 2026 Designed in tandem with the brand’s existing DIY gel system, Olive & June’s Builder Gel polishes (retailing for $12 each) are thicker in texture than traditional gel polish, creating a strong, supportive barrier to help grow your natural nails. — Jacqueline Kilikita, Refinery29, 22 Jan. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for polishes

Verb

The nurse rubs circles on her lower back, clucking at the struggle of turning the pregnant body to the side like a lopsided gourd.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 25 June 2026
Every texture is an independent agent with its own membrane in the mix; percussion rubs and scrapes against your attention, while mutating synth patches burble in the periphery.

— H.D. Angel, Pitchfork, 16 June 2026

Definition of rubs

Verb

The idea is to find out which team finishes third – a concept many find hard to care about.

— Ben Church, CNN Money, 16 July 2026
As the Miami Heat’s summer league finishes its work in Las Vegas in the coming days, most of the Heat’s top executives will be in Miami on Thursday to take in a big day for the organization.

— Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 15 July 2026

Definition of finishes

Verb

The wide straps offer support, while compression seaming on the waist and back smooths the torso.

— Alexandra Malmed, InStyle, 16 July 2026
Pritzker—a white guy currently cruising to reëlection with high marks for handling infrastructure and education—smooths those wrinkles.

— Bill McKibben, New Yorker, 16 July 2026

Definition of smooths

Verb

Formula 1’s own Oxford Street mega-store completes the picture, consolidating all ten teams’ merchandise within a high-footfall retail environment designed to convert fandom directly into revenue.

— Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Commercial trackers, accessibility concerns Perhaps even more concerning to the public are the projects NDS seemingly completes and never ships.

— Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 30 June 2026