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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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Venus finishes its run in Virgo in your partnership sector, highlighting what balance and reciprocity really feel like.—
Dossé-Via Trenou,
Refinery29,
5 Oct. 2025
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Click Relaunch when the update finishes.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Specifically, Byron’s enthusiasm for Guinness — the beer and the family — rubs him the wrong way.—
Keith Phipps,
Vulture,
26 Sep. 2025
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Ray, grateful for the distraction, rubs my Lab behind his ears and tells me how much Michelle loved dogs.—
Ted Katauskas,
Outside,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The value of a company tied to a secondary share sale is separate from the traditional private market valuation set when a startup completes a new round of funding.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
2 Oct. 2025
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This move also ensures that Huska will be under contract once the team completes its move to Scotia Place, projected to be ready in 2027.—
Julian McKenzie,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Revitalizing Serum, made with mostly natural ingredients including red camellia extract, smooths and illuminates the skin while its counterpart—the Revitalizing Eye Serum—wakes up the gaze.—
Jenny Berg,
Vogue,
1 Oct. 2025
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Pequi oil helps restore moisture and add shine, aloe vera smooths frizz and hydrates, and açai extract delivers antioxidants for healthier-looking strands.—
Malia Griggs,
Glamour,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Polishes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/polishes. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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