1
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
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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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 Dodgers, after taking a 2-1 lead in the series with a Game 3 win, lost consecutive games at home, and now have their backs against the wall as the series finishes north of the border.—
Noah Camras,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
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By the time a patient finishes treatment, a nurse navigator has often been there for every major milestone—the last chemo infusion, the follow-up scans, the tears and the relief that come afterward.—
Lauryn Higgins,
Flow Space,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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These pants are available in a petite-friendly 29-inch inseam and feature a wide contour waistband that smooths you out.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Oct. 2025
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The Libra moon meeting Venus smooths everything over.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
This completes one repetition (rep).—
Jakob Roze,
Health,
31 Oct. 2025
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OpenAI completes restructure as for-profit company OpenAI completed its conversion into a for-profit company on Tuesday, clearing a major obstacle for a potential initial public offering.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Stearic acid in the formula also coats hair in a light protective veil to prevent your color from fading.—
Mary Honkus,
Glamour,
29 Oct. 2025
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Continue until the solution makes a paste and coats the entire surface of the tub.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
28 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Polishes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/polishes. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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