1
as in facade
a deceptively attractive external appearance
used a computer to give her astrological predictions the gloss of real science
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in gleam
brightness created by light reflected from a surface
the surface has such a high gloss, you can see your face reflected in it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to polish
to make smooth or glossy usually by repeatedly applying surface pressure
the action of the water will serve to gloss the seal's coat
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 gloss
Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 21 Jan. 2026
Replace faux plants with live ones, avoid overly minimal decor, and use high-gloss paint finishes sparingly this year.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Jan. 2026
Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 6 Nov. 2025
King of the Hill’s belief in the innate power of moral character remains one of its most appealing traits—but the revival glosses reality in order to preserve its gentle equilibrium.
—Adrienne Matei, The Atlantic, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gloss
Noun
Yet this gloss dismisses something that might be better understood as a guiding principle, and suggests that criticism of Israel is an idealist’s liability rather than a stance with growing support among Democratic voters.
—Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 21 Jan. 2026
Replace faux plants with live ones, avoid overly minimal decor, and use high-gloss paint finishes sparingly this year.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Jan. 2026
Verb
Carol, who now works as a counselor after a career shift in her fifties, isn’t interested in trying to gloss up the factors that led to her creatively brilliant and warmhearted son’s death.
—Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 6 Nov. 2025
King of the Hill’s belief in the innate power of moral character remains one of its most appealing traits—but the revival glosses reality in order to preserve its gentle equilibrium.
—Adrienne Matei, The Atlantic, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gloss
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gloss
Noun
-
Trumpism does not hide behind the facade of something high.—
Ezra Klein,
Mercury News,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Don’t be fooled by the dull façade of their authority.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
When the action rises in intensity, this gleam gathers quickly to a fiery glow of tragic power.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
17 Jan. 2026
-
Your 4th House of Traditions gleams under today’s Full Moon, so private needs are potentially straining against public duties.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
3 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Our editors’ favorite work bags have earned their place in our daily rotations, designed with durability and style in mind, and polished enough to go wherever the day takes us.—
Jessica Chapel,
Condé Nast Traveler,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Its sleek vegan leather design looks polished enough for sightseeing days and casual dinners alike.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
While critics say these changes are merely cosmetic, many ordinary Bangladeshis have been sold on the veneer of incorruptibility that comes from a theological under-pinning.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
28 Jan. 2026
-
But ChatGPT and its ilk are also being used to give fraudulent or shoddy work a new veneer of plausibility, according to Mandy Hill, the managing director of academic publishing at Cambridge University Press & Assessment.—
Ross Andersen,
The Atlantic,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Under the roof — with the glare gone, the temperature easing across the third and fourth sets and the radiated heat from the court plummeting — the momentum swung.—
John Pye,
Baltimore Sun,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Originally a bright photography studio with skylights, the room was transformed into a low-light space to eliminate glare on the digital screens and Wacom tablets used for ZBrush sculpting.—
Robert Lang,
Deadline,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
After Landfair climbed into Kelly’s lap and rubbed his head — following the precise instructions Sparkle had given her — Kelly eagerly accepted her innocent request.—
Cheyenne Roundtree,
Rolling Stone,
31 Jan. 2026
-
But this one in particular rubbed him the wrong way.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Some parts of the Dallas-Fort Worth area woke Saturday to a thin crust of sleet and snow under gray, low-hanging skies, while other roads held only a wet sheen.—
Miriam Fauzia,
Dallas Morning News,
24 Jan. 2026
-
For an afternoon event, tea-length (something that falls around midcalf) is expected for women in dressy day fabrics (silk, organza, cotton with some sheen), while daytime suits are expected for men (in gray, black or navy fabrics with no sheen).—
Judith Martin,
Sun Sentinel,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Contour seams enhance lifting, smoothing and comfortable compression.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Two stagehands were smoothing the surface with bladed scrapers.—
Bob Morris,
New Yorker,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gloss.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gloss. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
