1
as in rubbing
to make smooth by friction
she learned to buff semiprecious stones in order to make her own jewelry
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in polishing
to make smooth or glossy usually by repeatedly applying surface pressure
the janitor buffed the lobby floor until it shone
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of buffing
Use a microfiber cloth to clean, and follow by buffing the surface with a clean, dry cloth to prevent streaks.
—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
19 June 2026
Use an applicator pad (often supplied with the wax) and start buffing with a fresh microfiber towel.
—
Bestreviews,
Chicago Tribune,
16 June 2026
For appliances and fixtures such as faucets, start by sprinkling baking soda onto a damp rag, and buffing the stainless steel gently to clean and brighten.
—
Alexandra Kelly,
Martha Stewart,
11 May 2026
Ngo coats the nail with a matte primer, which creates a smooth base, before buffing eye shadow across the surface with a nail sponge.
—
Annie Blay-Tettey,
Allure,
27 Apr. 2026
Keep one slightly damp microfiber cloth for cleaning and one dry microfiber cloth for buffing.
—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Sacbee.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Finish by cleaning the area with the vinegar and water mixture and buffing it to a shine.
—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
4 Mar. 2026
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
19 June 2026
Use an applicator pad (often supplied with the wax) and start buffing with a fresh microfiber towel.
—
Bestreviews,
Chicago Tribune,
16 June 2026
For appliances and fixtures such as faucets, start by sprinkling baking soda onto a damp rag, and buffing the stainless steel gently to clean and brighten.
—
Alexandra Kelly,
Martha Stewart,
11 May 2026
Ngo coats the nail with a matte primer, which creates a smooth base, before buffing eye shadow across the surface with a nail sponge.
—
Annie Blay-Tettey,
Allure,
27 Apr. 2026
Keep one slightly damp microfiber cloth for cleaning and one dry microfiber cloth for buffing.
—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Sacbee.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Finish by cleaning the area with the vinegar and water mixture and buffing it to a shine.
—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
4 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for buffing
Verb
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The bumper was rubbing the tire and a headlight looked to be dragging.
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Working with the fingertip has a sensuosity which is erotic and raw; there is something very direct about this process of drawing, rubbing, scratching and erasing.
Verb
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Parker Kitternan was busy at the console of the church's pipe organ, polishing his musical tribute for the weekend.
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The deceptively roomy, buttery-smooth leather style features a convertible crossbody strap, metal feet, interior pockets, and an outfit-polishing silhouette.
Verb
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Their work included sanding the benches along the Naperville Riverwalk.
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During a walk-through for reporters on Thursday, construction noises — particularly sanding and hammering — could be heard.
Verb
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Its major selling points include the stretchy and soft material, wide straps, side-smoothing panels, and wireless design.
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It can be used as a concealer, contour, or foundation, has medium coverage, is pore-blurring, texture-smoothing, and imperfection-camouflaging.
Verb
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Yet Marketplace Pulse research shows only 23% of sellers are growing revenue and improving margins at the same time; the rest are either grinding or distressed.
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The grinding process will leave a large mound of chips mixed with soil that will need to be removed and replaced with topsoil.
Verb
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With ballots set to be printed this week, the issue was appealed to the Alaska Supreme Court on an expedited basis, with both sides filing court papers over the weekend.
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The brain creates reference points, filing new information against existing constructs.
Verb
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Companies that act early—by strengthening resilience, investing in capacity, sharpening worker skills, and rethinking supply chains—will be better positioned to capture demand as it shifts.
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The attention to sharpening those skills could be paying off.
Cite this Entry
“Buffing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/buffing. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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