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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of polishing
This is why authorities at the National Park Service, which maintains the statue, have repeatedly rejected any notion of polishing away the green covering.
—
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
The brilliant white plinth undergoes seven grinding and polishing stages to achieve its glass-smooth finish.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 23 Aug. 2025
After mostly rising through Detroit’s system as a third baseman, Keith spent his entire rookie season learning and polishing his play at second base.
—Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2025
Assistant coach Aaron Wheeler, who played 11 years as a pro, has been working with Dieng, polishing his back-of-the-net finishing skills.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 16 Aug. 2025
Everything is connected by my love of the craft, the thrill of working through ideas and narrowing them down and polishing it all up in the end.
—Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 14 Aug. 2025
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
The brilliant white plinth undergoes seven grinding and polishing stages to achieve its glass-smooth finish.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 23 Aug. 2025
After mostly rising through Detroit’s system as a third baseman, Keith spent his entire rookie season learning and polishing his play at second base.
—Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2025
Assistant coach Aaron Wheeler, who played 11 years as a pro, has been working with Dieng, polishing his back-of-the-net finishing skills.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 16 Aug. 2025
Everything is connected by my love of the craft, the thrill of working through ideas and narrowing them down and polishing it all up in the end.
—Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 14 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for polishing
Verb
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But to have everyone there, rubbing elbows and being just as outlandish and quirky as ever, three decades ago just felt off.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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Other signs that your cat is content and relaxed with you include kneading, and head rubbing and bunting.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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All in all, the Ferrand II collaboration is a standout example of what happens when blending and finishing all hit their mark.—
Andy Vasoyan,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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Or at least that was the easy answer in 2021 and 2022, when Georgia was finishing four years of ranking in the top two nationally in run defense.—
Seth Emerson,
New York Times,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The handle twists at a 90-degree angle to become a high-speed hair dryer, but locked into its upright position, the device converts into a self-winding curling iron, a frizz-smoothing paddle brush, and a volume-building oval brush.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
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Offset spatula This decorating tool is a skinny, rectangular spatula used to assist in smoothing icing, which will give your cake a polished finish.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Instead, exercising can consist of completing puzzles, filling out class reunion surveys and playing games like bridge, other card games and other games in general.—
Bruce Y. Lee,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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Renda coordinated the offense, passing for 288 yards and three touchdowns, completing 22 of 28 (79%) passes.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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If needed, follow that up by buffing with a clean microfiber cloth.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
12 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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Doc is scrubbing in for season 2.—
Christopher Rudolph,
People.com,
14 Sep. 2025
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This process lifts stains without increasing their surface area, which can be an issue when scrubbing by hand with a cloth or brush.—
Maggie Horton,
PEOPLE,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Polishing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/polishing. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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