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

Relevance

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 While a classic button-down shirt is always timeless, a peplum top offers the same wearability with a waist-defining silhouette that instantly polishes any bottom they’re paired with. — Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 1 Aug. 2026 The PowerPaste polishes and protects more delicate surfaces, while the Tangerine Clean is more abrasive for serious scrubbing. — Brittany Vanderbill, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 July 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for polishes

Verb

Hundreds of bottles of hot sauce and meat rubs line the exterior walls.

— Adam Van Brimmer, AJC.com, 2 Aug. 2026
Edward rubs his lamb with turmeric, Aleppo chile powder, salt and pepper.

— Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2026

Definition of rubs

Verb

Belarus ranks third for groceries and fifth for rent and transportation, yet finishes last for coworking spaces and near the bottom for internet speed, healthcare, safety, and events.

— Rebecca Ann Hughes, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Karabus said once Macy’s finishes its planned 150 store closures, future adjustments will likely just be routine fine-tuning.

— Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of finishes

Verb

This method smooths the rocks and rounds the edges, giving them a more polished look and feel.

— BestReviews, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2026
More than 100,000 of them just bought these Medicube toner pads, a K-beauty staple that gently exfoliates the skin, refines pores, and smooths skin texture for a more even complexion.

— Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of smooths

Verb

Nothing is overly emphasized, but viewers who know the visual language of the show will recognize the repetition, like the second half of a rhyming couplet that completes this section of the story.

— Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 7 Aug. 2026
The commitments, which come into effect once the transaction completes and will remain in force for five years, will ensure that Channel 5 News’ editorial direction remains entirely separate from CBS News and CNN International.

— Jake Kanter, Deadline, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of completes

Verb

Add the fresh corn, okra, and diced tomatoes, cooking until the tomatoes break down into a sauce that coats the tender vegetables.

— Elizabeth Nelson, Southern Living, 1 Aug. 2026
The Mediterranean sun, at its apex, burns as white as the signature paint that coats most Mykonian homes.

— Nick Remsen, Vogue, 1 Aug. 2026