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
Relevance
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
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
While rivals like the Tacoma and Colorado constantly reinvent themselves, Nissan tends to take the long road by refining, tweaking, and polishing instead of blowing everything up every few years.
—
New Atlas, 3 May 2026
Various owners have taken the reins over the years, but all were committed to preserving the bar’s old-school character rather than polishing, upgrading, or updating it away.
—Skye Sherman, Southern Living, 29 Apr. 2026
Small updates like polishing or new hardware can elevate your kitchen's look with minimal effort.
—Farima Ferguson, The Spruce, 28 Apr. 2026
Bell is coming off a torn ACL and is said to need polishing on his route running.
—Sam Warren, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2026
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
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
New Atlas, 3 May 2026
Various owners have taken the reins over the years, but all were committed to preserving the bar’s old-school character rather than polishing, upgrading, or updating it away.
—Skye Sherman, Southern Living, 29 Apr. 2026
Small updates like polishing or new hardware can elevate your kitchen's look with minimal effort.
—Farima Ferguson, The Spruce, 28 Apr. 2026
Bell is coming off a torn ACL and is said to need polishing on his route running.
—Sam Warren, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2026
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for polishing
Verb
-
Pettis took out a paper towel and began rubbing the paints together on the easel.—
Mary Divine,
Twin Cities,
9 May 2026
-
Also, avoid rubbing the scent onto your skin, as this degrades the fragrance.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
The Bills and Lions both enter this season with Super Bowl aspirations after finishing last season with top-five offenses.—
Amos Morale III,
New York Times,
12 May 2026
-
The Denim Trends Forum will provide a look at the Fall/Winter 2027-2028 trends shaping denim, from raw materials and finishing to textures, colors and new responsible developments.—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
Duffy has said the system could help planners spot problems weeks in advance, smoothing schedules before delays begin to stack up.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
9 May 2026
-
The smoothing fabric is flattering at the waist and thighs, and the flare bottoms provide just enough of a pop of style to make these jeans fun, but still appropriate for just about any setting.—
Taylor Fox,
Travel + Leisure,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
After Minnesota killed the first penalty of the game — an accomplishment of note with the way the Wild penalty kill was torched in the first two games — Kaprizov opened the scoring with the teams skating 4-on-4, completing a speedy rush to the net after a set-up pass from Faber.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
10 May 2026
-
His London debut, Tobi Masa at the Chancery Rosewood, introduced a seven-seat omakase counter in February, completing the restaurant’s offering within the new hotel.—
Rachel Ingram,
Robb Report,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
Eyuel Tafesse, room operations manager at The Ritz-Carlton, Pentagon City, finishes by lightly buffing cabinets, desks, and drawers to create a soft sheen, often using a polish with a subtle lemon scent that makes the room feel warmer.—
Colleen Sullivan,
Martha Stewart,
2 May 2026
-
Keep one slightly damp microfiber cloth for cleaning and one dry microfiber cloth for buffing.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Sacbee.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The giant operating room, with its other-worldly machines and too many doctors and nurses to count, lay on the other side of two glass doors, and next to me seven more nurses and doctors were scrubbing in.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 May 2026
-
Lightly scrubbing grout and tile lines before discoloration sets in.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Polishing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/polishing. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
