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
Venus ends its Virgo run in your communication house, polishing your words with discernment.
—
Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 5 Oct. 2025
Over the course of the next 36 years, McNally returned to the script again and again, rewriting, restaging, refining and polishing it into something that eventually became one of Broadway’s biggest hits of 2014 and ’15.
—Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 29 Sep. 2025
The students spend the semester writing and polishing a novel excerpt, memoir excerpt, or chapbook length collection of poetry.
—The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 22 Sep. 2025
After polishing, Stewart washes each piece with dish soap, rinses with lukewarm water, and dries immediately to prevent watermarks.
—Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 16 Sep. 2025
Getty Images Taking away this coating by polishing the statue would mean that the metal underneath would be thinner and weaker.
—Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
Silver Centerpieces For anyone who's ever gotten stuck polishing silver, there's good news.
—Heather Bien, Southern Living, 3 Sep. 2025
When growth takes off, there's often a temptation to start polishing everything.
—Mike Vietri, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
In perhaps Petty’s most existential cover, Fay, while polishing a silver pitcher, is stopped by the fun-house reflection of her face.
—Chris Ware, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 5 Oct. 2025
Over the course of the next 36 years, McNally returned to the script again and again, rewriting, restaging, refining and polishing it into something that eventually became one of Broadway’s biggest hits of 2014 and ’15.
—Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 29 Sep. 2025
The students spend the semester writing and polishing a novel excerpt, memoir excerpt, or chapbook length collection of poetry.
—The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 22 Sep. 2025
After polishing, Stewart washes each piece with dish soap, rinses with lukewarm water, and dries immediately to prevent watermarks.
—Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 16 Sep. 2025
Getty Images Taking away this coating by polishing the statue would mean that the metal underneath would be thinner and weaker.
—Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
Silver Centerpieces For anyone who's ever gotten stuck polishing silver, there's good news.
—Heather Bien, Southern Living, 3 Sep. 2025
When growth takes off, there's often a temptation to start polishing everything.
—Mike Vietri, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
In perhaps Petty’s most existential cover, Fay, while polishing a silver pitcher, is stopped by the fun-house reflection of her face.
—Chris Ware, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for polishing
Verb
-
Because the surface of the cornea contains multiple tiny microabrasions from your contact rubbing against it, these can function as openings for the amoeba to infiltrate—and the longer you’re exposed to it, the further in it can burrow.—
Holly Burns,
Time,
23 Oct. 2025
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Rinse the seeds in a colander afterward, rubbing with your fingers to detach any stubborn bits of pulp.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Phillips was 1 under par in the second round and ended up finishing the tournament tied for 14th.—
Alex Valdes,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Putting numbers to Charlotte FC’s best season Charlotte FC stated outright before the season that its goals started with finishing in the Top 4 at the conclusion of the regular season.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The jeans’ gap-proof waistband, stomach-smoothing technology, high-rise fit perfect for layering over bodysuits, and chic black hue.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
21 Oct. 2025
-
The pumpkin powerhouse smoothing and exfoliating lip mask was a personal favorite, lasting for hours on our lips.—
Rachel McRady,
PEOPLE,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
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That meant providing assurance through a number of different avenues, including showing a clean SOC 2 attestation, answering long security questionnaires, and completing various compliance certifications through painstakingly manual processes.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
25 Oct. 2025
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The hot start dwindled in the second half, and after completing 10 of his first 14 passes, Loftis missed 12 of his next 22 passes, tapering off as the game got out of hand.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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These provide enough force for buffing out scratches without further damaging the surface.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
19 Sep. 2025
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Instead, Bungie rolled out a TWAB last week that was nerfing player progression instead of buffing it.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
28 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Do not waste precious prep time wiping down your baseboards, scrubbing the windows, or steaming your floors.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
18 Oct. 2025
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Instead of scrubbing muddy boot stains off an entryway rug or having to replace it altogether, go with a low maintenance option in the form of a washable rug.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Polishing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/polishing. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.
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