1
as in sleek
having a shiny surface or finish
she could see her face reflected in the polished hood of the car
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in cultured
having or showing a taste for the fine arts and gracious living
showing the polished manners of a cosmopolitan woman
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in smoothed
to make smooth or glossy usually by repeatedly applying surface pressure
you'll need to polish your shoes with a clean rag before the performance
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in finished
to bring (something) to a state where nothing remains to be done
once you polish the article a bit, it'll be ready to submit
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of polished
Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 14 Feb. 2026
For a shoe that lives somewhere between polished and relaxed, look for a mule in a warm tone and a low heel.
—Alex Sales, Glamour, 14 Feb. 2026
Larry Stansbury, Essence, 8 Jan. 2026
According to Brown, after stringent authentication processes are followed, jewelry is typically polished before being listed, while handbags are professionally cleaned.
—Nia Bowers, USA Today, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for polished
Adjective
The ceilings are polished plaster.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 14 Feb. 2026
For a shoe that lives somewhere between polished and relaxed, look for a mule in a warm tone and a low heel.
—Alex Sales, Glamour, 14 Feb. 2026
Verb
The look was polished from root to tip, with a glossy finish that practically bounced off the camera flashes.
—Larry Stansbury, Essence, 8 Jan. 2026
According to Brown, after stringent authentication processes are followed, jewelry is typically polished before being listed, while handbags are professionally cleaned.
—Nia Bowers, USA Today, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for polished
Recent Examples of Synonyms for polished
Adjective
-
Think stylish airport outfits, sleek carry-ons, smart tech, and practical travel accessories all seriously marked down for the holiday weekend.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Feb. 2026
-
This sleek, inventive shoulder bag is well under $100 but looks way pricier.—
Annie Blackman,
InStyle,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Early in the evening, brand chief executive officer Kentaro Nishimura greeted Uma Thurman, who was wearing a Mikimoto pendant tassel necklace with 427 Akoya cultured pearls and a 12-carat tanzanite.—
Kristen Tauer,
Footwear News,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Skyr Skyr is an Icelandic cultured dairy product made from skim milk and thermophilic lactic acid bacteria cultures.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In some ways, Bequia remains a secret, and as such, it hasn’t been overly developed, commercialised or smoothed into sameness.—
Rebekah Evans,
TheWeek,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Parish and Glasner smoothed things over somewhat at dinner at London’s Ham Yard restaurant on January 21.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Heading into 2026 the Red Sox look capable of at least matching last year’s club, which finished third in the AL East, made the playoffs and lost to the New York Yankees in the AL Wild Card Series.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Mahomes finished 27th in the NFL in completion percentage on downfield throws.—
Sam McDowell
February 5,
Kansas City Star,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Holly is low maintenance, fast growing and has sharp, dark, glossy leaves with red berries.—
Clarence Schmidt,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
-
As for glam, Berry’s makeup was clean and serene, with bold brows, smokey eyes and a slightly glossy lip.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
In an era when roads were still rough and driving was still novel, electric automobiles seemed civilized.—
Bill Gourgey,
Popular Science,
5 Feb. 2026
-
There is a much more civilized way to do this that involves working together with state officials opposed to inserting the administration’s will on a state whose citizens have stood up for their neighbors and said this is not right!—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Johnson sighed and rubbed a hand over her head in relief.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Diners here can feast upon things like duck fat frites for brunch and espresso-rubbed steaks for dinner.—
Iona Brannon,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
How the Study Worked In the study, 72 inactive adults with panic disorder who weren’t taking medications as treatment completed a 12-week program of brief intermittent intense exercise or relaxation training.—
Tom Gavin,
EverydayHealth.com,
11 Feb. 2026
-
On New Year’s Day, Zohran Mamdani completed his inauguration festivities and departed for Brooklyn.—
Michael Powell,
The Atlantic,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Polished.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/polished. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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