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
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
Lint-free cotton cloths are best for polishing and buffing silver flatware and serving pieces.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 17 Feb. 2026
After polishing the piece, rinse it well and wash it with dish soap and water again to ensure all the cream is removed.
—Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 9 Feb. 2026
This gentle, sensitive-skin-friendly exfoliating sugar scrub helps to melt away makeup, excess oil, and buildup, all while buffing and polishing without stripping the skin.
—Melony Forcier, InStyle, 30 Jan. 2026
One air bubble can destroy a $10,000 piece at the polishing stage.
—Lilian Raji, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Advanced packaging – Disco Japan's Disco manufactures processing equipment and tools for the creation of computer chips, specializing in grinding and polishing equipment, which is part of the advanced packaging process.
—Tasmin Lockwood, CNBC, 20 Jan. 2026
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
Lint-free cotton cloths are best for polishing and buffing silver flatware and serving pieces.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 17 Feb. 2026
After polishing the piece, rinse it well and wash it with dish soap and water again to ensure all the cream is removed.
—Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 9 Feb. 2026
This gentle, sensitive-skin-friendly exfoliating sugar scrub helps to melt away makeup, excess oil, and buildup, all while buffing and polishing without stripping the skin.
—Melony Forcier, InStyle, 30 Jan. 2026
One air bubble can destroy a $10,000 piece at the polishing stage.
—Lilian Raji, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Advanced packaging – Disco Japan's Disco manufactures processing equipment and tools for the creation of computer chips, specializing in grinding and polishing equipment, which is part of the advanced packaging process.
—Tasmin Lockwood, CNBC, 20 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for polishing
Verb
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To help protect the strength of the tree, remove limbs that are crossing or rubbing against each other.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
8 Mar. 2026
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Once inside, Salarzai molested the child, including touching his chest and rubbing his thigh.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Doncic missed his first five shots before finishing the period two for 10.—
Broderick Turner,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
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Adebayo set a new franchise record for the most points by a Heat player in a game, finishing Tuesday’s win with an eye-opening 83 points on 20-of-43 shooting from the field, 7-of-22 shooting on threes and 36-of-43 shooting from the foul line in 42 minutes.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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They’re made with the brand’s signature 360-degree smoothing panel design and gentle compression for comfy, easy-to-wear bottoms.—
Melony Forcier,
InStyle,
13 Mar. 2026
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The Levi's 318 Shaping Wide-leg Jeans feature a smoothing panel that streamlines the fit through the waist, balanced by a wide-leg silhouette.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Japanese government is roughly two years away from completing its own network of satellites to track moving objects.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
16 Mar. 2026
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By September last year, the project advanced further as the ship’s three towering masts were installed, marking a critical step toward completing the vessel’s distinctive sail system.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
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These provide enough force for buffing out scratches without further damaging the surface.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
7 Mar. 2026
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Anything above 220 is considered fine and works well for smoothing edges and buffing the nail surface to a polished finish.—
Lily Wohlner,
Allure,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The best way to apply this paste is either with your scrubbing applicator or a scraper to make sure there's an even application along the grout lines.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
13 Mar. 2026
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Rather than stressing over social niceties, sitting in ornate carriages and snacking on cream cakes, Sophie daydreams while scrubbing floors and delivering tea.—
Madeline Hirsch,
InStyle,
26 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Polishing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/polishing. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.
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