POLISHING Synonyms: 70 Similar and Opposite Words

polishing

verb

present participle of polish

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 polishing For many job seekers, writing another version of a resume or polishing a LinkedIn profile isn't the hard part. — Zulekha Nathoo, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2026 Under this law, employers are required to take steps to protect workers, such as providing protective respirators and using water to suppress dust, when employees are cutting, grinding or polishing slabs. — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2026 Ilham Aliyev continued his father’s dictatorial legacy, imprisoning his critics and enriching his family and cronies, while polishing his country’s image by hosting Formula One events and the Eurovision Song Contest. — Literary Hub, 30 July 2026 For deeper etching, a polishing compound and pad may restore the finish. — Rachel Silva, Martha Stewart, 25 July 2026 Not deliberately misleading them—more like polishing things up. — Dennis Kozak, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026 Interest—from both visitors and islanders—is gently shifting away from polishing playboy yachts or appeasing the decadent whims of retirees, to something, well, more real. — Jonnie Bayfield, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 July 2026 The investment of time and money put into excavating and polishing a skeleton such as Gus would not be possible, according to Hatton, without the prospect of a high-value sale. — Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 13 July 2026 Rather than using a standard stonewash, TacticalGeek says the blade is hand-finished with sanding and polishing steps that refine the surface from coarse to fine, while the groove area uses EDM machining for extra texture and visual depth. — New Atlas, 9 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for polishing

Verb

For instance, Qidi had to include a piece of Velcro to prevent the Polar Cooler tube from rubbing against the glass surface inside the top cover.

— Michael Lydick, PC Magazine, 15 Aug. 2026
Republicans are rubbing their hands in glee at the neocommunist advance in their opposing party.

— Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of rubbing

Verb

At this time, there was just one photoshoot finishing up (see balloons video above), and by 5 pm I and the resident cats had the park to ourselves.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 18 Aug. 2026
On the second floor, a construction crew worked on finishing twenty-eight hotel rooms, set to open next summer.

— Jake Offenhartz, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of finishing

Verb

The combination bristles feel amazing on my scalp (like the best head scratch ever) while also smoothing my incredibly frizzy hair.

— Kiana Murden, Vogue, 17 Aug. 2026
Water from the lakes is also used to generate hydroelectric power and to ensure a steady, predictable flow of water downstream, smoothing the water supply during droughts and when snowpack in the Rocky Mountains is low.

— Matthew Glasser, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of smoothing

Verb

Dragonfly Is Ahead Of Schedule Engineers at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory in Maryland recently delivered Dragonfly’s nearly 13-foot-long fuselage ahead of schedule after completing a month of structural testing.

— Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
The city says completing the improvements is an important investment for people who live and work near the tracks today, as well as future residents as Greeley continues to grow.

— Dillon Thomas, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of completing

Verb

How to Remove Scratches on Stainless Steel Gentleness is key when buffing out light scratches on stainless steel appliances.

— Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 15 Aug. 2026
Start by pushing back your cuticles, lightly buffing your nails, and filing the tips for a nice and tidy canvas.

— Kara Jillian Brown, InStyle, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of buffing

Verb

Bourdain was doing all of the grunt work at the Flagship, scrubbing pots and pans, scraping plates, peeling potatoes, and cleaning shrimp.

— Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 7 Aug. 2026
Following the grain from top to bottom, wipe the shutters with the damp cloth, gently scrubbing any stains.

— Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 4 Aug. 2026