1
as in smoothes
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in finishes
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of polishes
Next, the gel polishes themselves had to work with the specific wavelengths of the Olive & June lamp.
—
Megan McIntyre, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
Plenty of brands already offer or are transitioning to TPO-free formulas that contain different photoinitiators (a chemical that makes gel polishes cure under a lamp instead of air-drying like regular polish) such as TPO-L, BAPO, or other resin initiators.
—Hannah Nwoko, Parents, 5 Sep. 2025
The vacuum has a fluffy optic cleaner head that not only cleans but also polishes hard floors.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 3 Sep. 2025
The project’s executive producer Keyflo Music polishes the original track’s breezy amapiano groove, which suitably underscores Jamdong’s new verse.
—Heran Mamo, Billboard, 29 Aug. 2025
The sensorial balm texture tints and polishes the lips, promising 48 hours of hydration encased in a pearl tube with LV-inscribed in gold.
—Essence, 20 Aug. 2025
The high milk content and prolonged conching (which refines and polishes the chocolate) of this 33 percent bar results in melt-in-your-mouth creaminess.
—Rebecca L. Rhoades, Saveur, 20 Aug. 2025
Megan McIntyre, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
Plenty of brands already offer or are transitioning to TPO-free formulas that contain different photoinitiators (a chemical that makes gel polishes cure under a lamp instead of air-drying like regular polish) such as TPO-L, BAPO, or other resin initiators.
—Hannah Nwoko, Parents, 5 Sep. 2025
The vacuum has a fluffy optic cleaner head that not only cleans but also polishes hard floors.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 3 Sep. 2025
The project’s executive producer Keyflo Music polishes the original track’s breezy amapiano groove, which suitably underscores Jamdong’s new verse.
—Heran Mamo, Billboard, 29 Aug. 2025
The sensorial balm texture tints and polishes the lips, promising 48 hours of hydration encased in a pearl tube with LV-inscribed in gold.
—Essence, 20 Aug. 2025
The high milk content and prolonged conching (which refines and polishes the chocolate) of this 33 percent bar results in melt-in-your-mouth creaminess.
—Rebecca L. Rhoades, Saveur, 20 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for polishes
Verb
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That would mean extending the League One play-off to the team that finishes eighth and the League Two play-off to ninth, as four teams go up and down between Leagues One and Two.—
Matt Slater,
New York Times,
11 Sep. 2025
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As things stand, there's a small chance Brown finishes his career anywhere other than Boston.—
Ricardo Klein,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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As the moon clashes with Mars, a partner’s behavior rubs you the wrong way.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
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Lenker, in plaid, rubs her eyes; James Krivchenia leans forward, sparky and alert; Meek, outdoors in the Topanga sunshine, wears cycling glasses and a frowzy hat.—
Emma Madden,
Pitchfork,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Craft & Kin Scented Candles Set Nothing completes a fall refresh at home like scented candles to fill the air with seasonal aromas.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
19 Sep. 2025
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The hospital completes the Irvine medical campus.—
Hanna Kang,
Oc Register,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The night serum visibly smooths wrinkles, reduces fine lines, and soothes the appearance of dark circles and uneven skin tone.—
Gabriela Izquierdo,
Southern Living,
17 Sep. 2025
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Infused with honey from the Mirsalehi bee garden in Amsterdam, the formula simultaneously hydrates and smoothes strands with every spritz.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Polishes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/polishes. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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