polishing off

verb

present participle of polish off
as in pecking (at)

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for polishing off
  1. chewing
  2. finishing
Verb
  • Flushed and flailing during Schauf’s final countdown, her gum-chewing getting a little more exaggerated with each second, Cooper quipped that her handiwork might be better sealed under a closed casket.
    — John Semley, Harpers Magazine, 28 July 2026
  • For a long time the assumption was that a strong chin must be doing something — reinforcing the jaw against the mechanical stress of chewing, perhaps.
    — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026
Definition of chewing
Verb
  • In 2025, Journalism came closest, finishing second to Sovereignty by 1½ lengths at the Derby before winning in Baltimore.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
  • But Haugset, sensing the danger, stood on her pedals to stay ahead and managed to increase her lead again, finishing 1 minute 24 seconds ahead of Kopecky.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of finishing
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.

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Cite this Entry

“Polishing off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/polishing%20off. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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