varnish 1 of 2

verb

Definition of varnishnext
as in to polish
to cover (something) with varnish He varnished the table.

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Dissimilar Words

varnish

2 of 2

noun

as in gloss

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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 varnish
Verb
Refinish the door with stain or varnish that matches the rest of the kitchen cabinet doors. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 11 Jan. 2026 The coarsest grades of steel wool can strip paint or varnish and remove rust from surfaces. — Abby Wolner, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 May 2025
Noun
To protect the delicate tissue from getting wet or being torn, a matte varnish was applied. — Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 29 June 2026 The glass is inscribed—in lead wire, lead foil, oil, varnish, and dust—with diagrammatic imagery evoking machinery. — Sebastian Smee, The Atlantic, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for varnish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for varnish
  1. polish
  2. gloss
  3. rub
  4. veneer
  5. smooth
  6. camouflage
  7. coat
  8. glaze
Verb
  • From tailored and polished to embellished, the skirt became a canvas for personal expression.
    — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026
  • In this installment, author Min Jin Lee recounts a factchecking trip to Sydney to polish American Hagwon, the followup to her books Free Food for Millionaires and Pachinko.
    — Matt Ortile, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of polish
Noun
  • Tuesday’s Jeanne returned her to Vaccarello’s sharper version of the idea, this time in opaque black gloss and metal.
    — Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Bespoke’s lip products are gluten-free and the gloss is vegan.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of gloss
Verb
  • September 23 – October 22 Money and social plans could rub each other the wrong way today.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Libra September 23 – October 22 Money and social plans could rub each other the wrong way today.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of rub
Noun
  • Healthy teeth are ground down to nubs to make room for veneers.
    — Danielle Pergament, Allure, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Daley also warns buyers to look out for furniture with veneers which often peel or chip off and can’t be repaired.
    — Felicia Feaster, Martha Stewart, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of veneer
Verb
  • The batteries smooth the load and help optimize fuel consumption.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 4 Oct. 2026
  • The project is predicated on the theme that the title suggests — love of self, love of others, love for her daughter Hazel — while embracing a swath of styles spanning quiet storm to smooth, finger-snapped R&B.
    — Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of smooth
Noun
  • Collab-specific applications bring a Club Banana mark on the tongue, Amine’s signature on the heel and the official Outdoor School logo on an insole with a camouflage print.
    — Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Seething supporters gathered near the pens’ main gate, hungry for confrontation, but men in camouflage and tactical vests whisked the two women away to a nearby staging area in a four-vehicle motorcade that slipped almost unnoticed out a side exit.
    — J. B. MacKinnon, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of camouflage
Verb
  • Components are mixed with toxic solvents, coated onto foil, and baked in massive industrial ovens.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Instead of bending one solid piece, the wood is cut into thin strips, coated with adhesive, stacked back together, and pressed against a curved mold.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of coat
Verb
  • Eyes glaze over when the subject strays too far from Memeworld.
    — Nick H. Penniman, Rolling Stone, 15 July 2026
  • Working with 1 cookie at a time, spread 1 tablespoon vanilla glaze over half of underside of cookie.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 June 2026
Definition of glaze

Browse Nearby Words

varmints
varnish
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Cite this Entry

“Varnish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/varnish. Accessed 7 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on varnish

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about varnish

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