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
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
Remove the stain by simply polishing it.
—Lauren Wicks, Southern Living, 15 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
Remove all oil residue from the nail beds before polishing.
—Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 24 Feb. 2026
Harsh Chemicals and Abrasive Cleaners Avoid using harsh chemicals and abrasive cleaners when cleaning and polishing wood flooring.
—Maria Sabella, The Spruce, 21 Feb. 2026
Unlike other countries that merely export their commodities, Botswana has created jobs by developing a local diamond-cutting and polishing industry, alongside jewellery manufacturing.
—Alexis Akwagyiram, semafor.com, 20 Feb. 2026
Steve Pickett, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
Remove the stain by simply polishing it.
—Lauren Wicks, Southern Living, 15 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
Remove all oil residue from the nail beds before polishing.
—Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 24 Feb. 2026
Harsh Chemicals and Abrasive Cleaners Avoid using harsh chemicals and abrasive cleaners when cleaning and polishing wood flooring.
—Maria Sabella, The Spruce, 21 Feb. 2026
Unlike other countries that merely export their commodities, Botswana has created jobs by developing a local diamond-cutting and polishing industry, alongside jewellery manufacturing.
—Alexis Akwagyiram, semafor.com, 20 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for polishing
Verb
-
Harvest quinoa by hitting the flower stalks against a hard surface or rubbing them between your hands to separate the seeds from the flower parts or chaff.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
27 Apr. 2026
-
An employee washed hands for less than 10 seconds at the sushi bar, and the inspector wants to see 10-15 seconds of your hands rubbing each other.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
After finishing his Army service in Israel at age 21 — which included a stint as a projectionist when movies were shown to soldiers — Firstenberg decided to go to Hollywood.—
Stephen Silver,
Sun Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Jon and Matt Stinchcomb, Parkview – One or the other started for Parkview each season from 1991 to 1997, each finishing as a first-team all-state player.—
Todd Holcomb,
AJC.com,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Unlike many mineral sunscreens that can sit heavily on the skin, this one absorbs quickly and has a lightweight, smoothing effect.—
Brigitt Earley,
Glamour,
24 Apr. 2026
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But smoothing the appearance of fine lines around your eyes does not require a 12-step regimen or an appointment at the dermatologist’s office.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Charlotte Observer,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The numbers also highlight how Safonov is making cross claims or sweeping outside his box more than twice the rate Chevalier is, although the Frenchman is more adept with his feet, playing more passes, completing a higher rate.—
Tom Burrows,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Plummer, who came into the game completing 70 percent of his passes in the first four games, was not himself.—
Chris Hays,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Ngo coats the nail with a matte primer, which creates a smooth base, before buffing eye shadow across the surface with a nail sponge.—
Annie Blay-Tettey,
Allure,
27 Apr. 2026
-
These provide enough force for buffing out scratches without further damaging the surface.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Not every screen is in perfect condition, and scrubbing too aggressively can cause damage.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Miami Herald,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Simply soak a fresh sheet in water for 10 to 15 minutes before scrubbing away.—
Meghan Overdeep,
Southern Living,
19 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Polishing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/polishing. Accessed 29 Apr. 2026.
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