VARNISH Synonyms: 64 Similar and Opposite Words

varnish 1 of 2

verb

Definition of varnish

as in to polish

to cover (something) with varnish He varnished the table.

Related Words

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Dissimilar Words

varnish

2 of 2

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

Finally, the skeletons were coated with a clear gloss varnish spray to prepare them for display. — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 1 July 2026 To protect the delicate tissue from getting wet or being torn, a matte varnish was applied. — Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for varnish

Recent Examples of Synonyms for varnish

Verb

The asymmetrical hemline of the sweater is right on trend and makes the whole look feel much more intentional, while the slouchy silhouette still looks polished enough for a coffee run after landing.

— Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 18 Oct. 2026
Almost all of them seemed empty, like houses closed for the season, but a handful had signs of life—crewmen at the railings, polishing the brightwork, as if getting ready to leave.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of polish

Noun

Both also received high-gloss visual treatments, the former starring Nicole Kidman and the latter narrated by Sir Ian McKellen, aka Gandalf.

— Walden Green, Pitchfork, 9 Oct. 2026
There will always be people who prefer a traditional lipstick over a gloss or whatever gloss-balm-stain fusion is trending.

— Kara Nesvig, Allure, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of gloss

Verb

The discovery was made Wednesday in the Hickory Ridge area of east Charlotte, and responding officers report a man drenched in sweat tried to rub them down with garlic and bite them, according to an affidavit.

— Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 23 Oct. 2026
True, but there are other issues that rubbed me the wrong way (sorry).

— Valerie Monroe, Allure, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of rub

Verb

But so will filters offering subtle beautification effects — such as smoothing skin tone or adding a slight eye glow.

— Chloe Veltman, NPR, 25 Oct. 2026
Together, these efforts can help smooth the often difficult path from the first unexplained symptoms to an accurate diagnosis, while reducing the risk of both misdiagnosis and unnecessary delays.

— Bruce Bebo, STAT, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of smooth

Noun

Martin, in a white shirt unbuttoned at the chest and loose camouflage trousers, flowed through his samba.

— Raymond Braun, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2026
American soldiers gather at a border monitoring post in Roma, Texas, where an infantry vehicle with camouflage netting sits between houses.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of camouflage

Verb

There are six packets of seaweed snacks that are very lightly coated in a sweet and spicy barbecue sauce.

— Alex Beggs, Bon Appetit Magazine, 21 Oct. 2026
The scientific payoff that followed included remote-sensing work that confirmed Bennu's surface is coated in carbon-bearing compounds.

— Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of coat

Verb

For now, this is an intriguing proof of concept, a tantalizing glimpse of what electric mobility might look like someday, and a technology wrapped in enough engineering jargon to make the average driver’s eyes glaze over.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 18 Oct. 2026
Eyes glaze over when the subject strays too far from Memeworld.

— Nick H. Penniman, Rolling Stone, 15 July 2026

Definition of glaze

Browse Nearby Words

varmints

varnish

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Varnish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/varnish. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of varnish

verb

noun

Example Sentences

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