as in polishes
to cover (something) with varnish
He varnished the table.
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Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for varnishes
Verb
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In another, Kelly’s character polishes the massive rock on a seat cushion, then lies back to admire it.—
Rachel Garrahan,
Vogue,
22 Jan. 2026 -
Designed in tandem with the brand’s existing DIY gel system, Olive & June’s Builder Gel polishes (retailing for $12 each) are thicker in texture than traditional gel polish, creating a strong, supportive barrier to help grow your natural nails.—
Jacqueline Kilikita,
Refinery29,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Complement your new set with a MAC lip liner and lipstick kit, which can be layered underneath either of the Yves Saint Laurent glosses.—
Izzy Baskette,
PEOPLE,
24 Dec. 2025
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There’s no denying that 2025 was a big year for blush blindness and a full-fledged renaissance of juicy lip combos—balms, glosses, stains, liners, and everything in between.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
18 Dec. 2025
Verb
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This might happen because antler rubs strip bark away, revealing lignin-rich inner wood that reemits the longer wavelengths in a way bark does not.—
Anirban Mukhopadhyay,
Scientific American,
21 Jan. 2026
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Unfortunately, Martin’s blunt and borderline rude bedside manner rubs the quirky, needy locals the wrong way, including schoolteacher Louisa Gavin (Abigail Spencer).—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Gongora, who had over 400,000 followers across multiple Instagram accounts, was known for her extensive cosmetic procedures — including nose jobs, buccal fat removal, brow lifts, butt and breast implants and veneers — as well as her tattoos, which covered her face and body.—
Luke Chinman,
PEOPLE,
12 Dec. 2025
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While the clinic is widely associated with aesthetic work such as veneers, smile design, and Hollywood Smile makeovers, its service range extends from basic oral care to complex rehabilitations involving implants and full-arch restorations.—
Matt Emma,
USA Today,
12 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The molasses coats the sugar crystals, giving brown sugar its characteristic color, moisture, and caramel-like flavor.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
26 Jan. 2026
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Dressing made with lemon, chili powder, cumin, and hot sauce coats a blend of rice and red beans.—
Ginger Crichton,
Midwest Living,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Around the ship When embarking, guests are first greeted by the 323-foot-long Galleria Grandiosa, a European-style promenade with brick facades and stone-looking archways and columns.—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 Jan. 2026
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International artists from Amsterdam, Nepal and Australia paint alongside locals, transforming concrete facades into an open-air gallery visible from the freeway.—
Audrey T. Williams,
Mercury News,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Protease, a gentle enzyme, smooths texture and helps strengthen the moisture barrier so skin stays bouncier, less reactive, and better hydrated.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
23 Jan. 2026
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That’s thanks to glycolic acid, which smooths the hair cuticle to reduce frizz, plus hydrating hyaluronic acid suspended in a nourishing yet lightweight oil base.—
Jacqueline Kilikita,
Refinery29,
22 Jan. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Varnishes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/varnishes. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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