1
as in rubbing
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 finishing
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
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Recent Examples of polishing
While rivals like the Tacoma and Colorado constantly reinvent themselves, Nissan tends to take the long road by refining, tweaking, and polishing instead of blowing everything up every few years.
—
New Atlas, 3 May 2026
Various owners have taken the reins over the years, but all were committed to preserving the bar’s old-school character rather than polishing, upgrading, or updating it away.
—Skye Sherman, Southern Living, 29 Apr. 2026
Small updates like polishing or new hardware can elevate your kitchen's look with minimal effort.
—Farima Ferguson, The Spruce, 28 Apr. 2026
Bell is coming off a torn ACL and is said to need polishing on his route running.
—Sam Warren, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2026
With just over a month before the FIFA World Cup, Downtown Dallas is polishing, planning, and preparing for what could be one of the busiest stretches the city has ever seen.
—Steve Pickett, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
After 10 to 20 passes, repeat the same process on the ceramic polishing rods, if the sharpener has them.
—Jesse Raub, Bon Appetit Magazine, 30 Mar. 2026
The program acts almost like a navigation map for individuals intent on entering the sector, from polishing resumes to grasping industry dynamics.
—William Jones, USA Today, 30 Mar. 2026
Karen Roos and Koos Bekker of The Newt in Somerset, the eccentric country resort nearby, transformed this 1921 British Pullman into an elegant tea salon last year, polishing its mahogany marquetry and brass fixtures to a period gleam for a mix of Newt guests and village locals.
—Adam Erace, Time, 12 Mar. 2026
New Atlas, 3 May 2026
Various owners have taken the reins over the years, but all were committed to preserving the bar’s old-school character rather than polishing, upgrading, or updating it away.
—Skye Sherman, Southern Living, 29 Apr. 2026
Small updates like polishing or new hardware can elevate your kitchen's look with minimal effort.
—Farima Ferguson, The Spruce, 28 Apr. 2026
Bell is coming off a torn ACL and is said to need polishing on his route running.
—Sam Warren, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2026
With just over a month before the FIFA World Cup, Downtown Dallas is polishing, planning, and preparing for what could be one of the busiest stretches the city has ever seen.
—Steve Pickett, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
After 10 to 20 passes, repeat the same process on the ceramic polishing rods, if the sharpener has them.
—Jesse Raub, Bon Appetit Magazine, 30 Mar. 2026
The program acts almost like a navigation map for individuals intent on entering the sector, from polishing resumes to grasping industry dynamics.
—William Jones, USA Today, 30 Mar. 2026
Karen Roos and Koos Bekker of The Newt in Somerset, the eccentric country resort nearby, transformed this 1921 British Pullman into an elegant tea salon last year, polishing its mahogany marquetry and brass fixtures to a period gleam for a mix of Newt guests and village locals.
—Adam Erace, Time, 12 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for polishing
Verb
-
This is also linked to a change known as Darier’s sign, which is a common finding in mastocytosis, where rubbing a skin lesion causes redness or swelling.—
Suchandrima Bhowmik,
Health,
15 May 2026
-
If one berry develops mold, spores can spread quickly, and moisture, warmth, and friction from the berries rubbing together can accelerate the spread.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
The interactive museum is finishing up a major expansion, and visitors will soon be able to see even more of its extensive collection up close.—
Travel + Leisure Editors,
Travel + Leisure,
19 May 2026
-
After finishing her schooling at Exarch Joseph I in Lovech, Karabash earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Veliko Tarnovo in applied linguistics with English and French.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
19 May 2026
Verb
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Pour the filling into the unbaked pie crust, smoothing the top.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
10 May 2026
-
It’s designed with side-smoothing panels, separated cups, and wide, adjustable straps.—
Jamie Allison Sanders,
PEOPLE,
10 May 2026
Verb
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The little rotorcraft far exceeded mission managers' expectations, completing a total of 72 flights over the course of nearly three years.—
Josh Dinner,
Space.com,
17 May 2026
-
In one September 2025 event, the system struck a metal chain while entering a parking lot after completing an unprotected left turn.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
For appliances and fixtures such as faucets, start by sprinkling baking soda onto a damp rag, and buffing the stainless steel gently to clean and brighten.—
Alexandra Kelly,
Martha Stewart,
11 May 2026
-
Keep one slightly damp microfiber cloth for cleaning and one dry microfiber cloth for buffing.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Sacbee.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Add a few drops of mild detergent to warm water and blot the stain with a microfiber cloth rather than scrubbing it.—
Ryan Brennan,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 May 2026
-
Many of the cleaning home habits people rely on every week — from scrubbing grout to running a steam mop — can quietly wear down floors, fixtures and appliances.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Miami Herald,
12 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Polishing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/polishing. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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