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
The single-button power control is a favorite feature of our reviewer Williams, as well as the fluffy optic cleaner head that cleans and polishes her hard floors.
—
Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 25 Sep. 2025
Next, the gel polishes themselves had to work with the specific wavelengths of the Olive & June lamp.
—Megan McIntyre, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
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 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
Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 25 Sep. 2025
Next, the gel polishes themselves had to work with the specific wavelengths of the Olive & June lamp.
—Megan McIntyre, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
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 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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Then came one of the nuttiest finishes those who stayed will ever see.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
20 Oct. 2025
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With the three goals and one assist on the night, Messi finishes the season with 29 goals and 19 assists in 28 games, one shy of Carlos Vela’s MLS record of 49 goal contributions.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The video shows the pup lounging around in various positions in a home setting, from asleep on the floor and over a blanket to playing with a dog toy and lying on the floor with her legs in the air as a hand rubs her belly.—
Soo Kim,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Oct. 2025
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For a deeper dive into DeRose-Broeckert’s findings about how deer perceive scrapes and rubs, head over to NDA.—
Natalie Krebs,
Outdoor Life,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Last Class, set to reach an ever-wider audience with next Wednesday’s one-night-only event, touches with a wistful quality as Reich completes his final semester.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
15 Oct. 2025
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Luminate, the independent data provider to the Billboard charts, completes a thorough review of all data submissions used in compiling the weekly chart rankings.—
Gary Trust,
Billboard,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Without stabilization, handheld footage has a jittery, jumpy look, but Active Mode effectively smooths it out.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
12 Oct. 2025
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In addition to serving as a natural detangler, Bennett says that ACV smooths and softens the hair as well.—
Danielle Sinay,
Glamour,
10 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Polishes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/polishes. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.
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