1
as in rubs
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of polishes
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
Use jelly polishes atop an opaque base!
—Rebecca Norris, InStyle, 20 Jan. 2026
The vacuum has a fluffy optic cleaner head that not only cleans but also polishes hard floors.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 23 Dec. 2025
Remember the butler who polishes the shower?
—Frank Digiacomo, Billboard, 17 Nov. 2025
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 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
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
Use jelly polishes atop an opaque base!
—Rebecca Norris, InStyle, 20 Jan. 2026
The vacuum has a fluffy optic cleaner head that not only cleans but also polishes hard floors.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 23 Dec. 2025
Remember the butler who polishes the shower?
—Frank Digiacomo, Billboard, 17 Nov. 2025
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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for polishes
Verb
-
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
-
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
Verb
-
Arajai Burks, junior G Hill calls Burks a strong defender who finishes well at the rim and has good court vision and a reliable outside shot.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Premium finishes in 2026 are limited to Aero Gray, Snowflake White, Soul Red, and Machine Gray.—
Byron Hurd,
The Drive,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
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
Verb
-
The warehouse completes a full closed-loop auto-material flow system that moves information on raw materials, panels, parts, garments and final shipments seamlessly through the production logic model.—
Jennifer Bringle,
Sourcing Journal,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The company completes flight demonstrations frequently at the Monterey Bay Academy Airport, near the coast in Watsonville.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The molasses coats the sugar crystals, giving brown sugar its characteristic color, moisture, and caramel-like flavor.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
26 Jan. 2026
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Polishes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/polishes. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
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