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

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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 The Duchess of Edinburgh even got hands-on experience shaping and polishing a quartz gemstone. — Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2026 Before Bay Area readers start polishing their debate trophies, remember these studies are conversation starters, not final verdicts. — James Ward, USA Today, 15 Sep. 2026 Running a raw, unedited Q&A shows the reality of the technology without a corporate PR team polishing the rough edges or hiding the structural failures. — New Atlas, 4 Sep. 2026 Live Edit, Video Capture, and Formats Snap Pro 26 continues to build on past iterations' strengths by keeping what worked and further polishing it. — Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 26 Aug. 2026 Founders often spend too much time polishing the story when skeptical early adopters are looking for evidence of execution. — Lilian Raji, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026 Sangare is not the finished product, but Brentford’s track record of finding and polishing young players with high potential casts this move in a promising light. — Cerys Jones, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026 Born into a Krymchak Jewish family in Haifa and raised poor in Brownsville, Brooklyn, Bakshi entered the animation industry at just 18, polishing dirt from cels at Terrytoons. — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 14 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for polishing

Verb

As far as technique, pressing is gentler on dry skin than rubbing or dragging.

— Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 18 Sep. 2026
Among other things, Noohu accused showrunner Ed Brubaker of rubbing his back and of making comments about running his hands through Noohu’s hair.

— Gene Maddaus, Variety, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of rubbing

Verb

While finishing her new novel ‘American Hagwon,’ author Min Jin Lee traveled to Sydney to discover how the city may have shaped her fictional protagonists.

— Matt Ortile, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Sep. 2026
Before finishing his first year, Thornton received a Thiel Fellowship and left MIT to focus full-time on his company.

— Preston Fore, Fortune, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of finishing

Verb

Also hard at work are ectoin and panthenol, which are rockstars for reducing inflammation, smoothing texture, and, similarly to beta-glucan, forming a protective seal over your skin to keep moisture in and external stressors out.

— Sarah Han, Allure, 24 Sep. 2026
Designed specifically for the neck and décolletage, thai smoothing cream uses retinol to reverse signs of aging.

— Mariana Best, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of smoothing

Verb

After completing initial laboratory testing, the team aims to reduce voltage and fill-factor losses, refine current matching, and scale up device size for larger applications.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 28 Sep. 2026
Paris Hilton brought head-to-toe silver sparkle to the awards show with a pair of custom Christian Louboutin boots completing her look.

— Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of completing

Verb

If the copper is heavily tarnished, let the toothpaste’s active ingredients work on the patina for ten minutes or so before buffing.

— Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 6 Sep. 2026
Classes and skills lean into different styles of play; Astromech droids are entirely support-focused, generating AP (action points) and buffing the party, while the Assault is focused on heavy damage and drawing aggro.

— Hayes Madsen, Space.com, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of buffing

Verb

Let everything sit on your toilet bowl for a while before scrubbing gently and finally flushing your toilet.

— Asia London Palomba, The Spruce, 27 Sep. 2026
Storing knives loose in a drawer and scrubbing them too zealously creates a fine network of scratches, further dulling the finish.

— Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 25 Sep. 2026