1
as in rubbing
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 finishing
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
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Recent Examples of polishing
After polishing the piece, rinse it well and wash it with dish soap and water again to ensure all the cream is removed.
—
Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 9 Feb. 2026
This gentle, sensitive-skin-friendly exfoliating sugar scrub helps to melt away makeup, excess oil, and buildup, all while buffing and polishing without stripping the skin.
—Melony Forcier, InStyle, 30 Jan. 2026
One air bubble can destroy a $10,000 piece at the polishing stage.
—Lilian Raji, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Advanced packaging – Disco Japan's Disco manufactures processing equipment and tools for the creation of computer chips, specializing in grinding and polishing equipment, which is part of the advanced packaging process.
—Tasmin Lockwood, CNBC, 20 Jan. 2026
The Mother’s kit requires the use of a drill and polishing pad to clean up the lights.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 18 Jan. 2026
Meanwhile, other refinements included sanding and polishing the carbon-fiber composite surface.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 14 Jan. 2026
The experience traced the full journey of a diamond, from extraction to processing, cutting and polishing, grading and certification, and finally, sale.
—Lindsey Granger, The Hill, 14 Jan. 2026
Speak steadily to keep polishing your reputation.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 12 Jan. 2026
Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 9 Feb. 2026
This gentle, sensitive-skin-friendly exfoliating sugar scrub helps to melt away makeup, excess oil, and buildup, all while buffing and polishing without stripping the skin.
—Melony Forcier, InStyle, 30 Jan. 2026
One air bubble can destroy a $10,000 piece at the polishing stage.
—Lilian Raji, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Advanced packaging – Disco Japan's Disco manufactures processing equipment and tools for the creation of computer chips, specializing in grinding and polishing equipment, which is part of the advanced packaging process.
—Tasmin Lockwood, CNBC, 20 Jan. 2026
The Mother’s kit requires the use of a drill and polishing pad to clean up the lights.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 18 Jan. 2026
Meanwhile, other refinements included sanding and polishing the carbon-fiber composite surface.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 14 Jan. 2026
The experience traced the full journey of a diamond, from extraction to processing, cutting and polishing, grading and certification, and finally, sale.
—Lindsey Granger, The Hill, 14 Jan. 2026
Speak steadily to keep polishing your reputation.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 12 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for polishing
Verb
-
Finally, disinfect the tools by wiping the blades with a cloth dampened with isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
10 Feb. 2026
-
When the hook comes back around, he’s still posted in that corner, this time rubbing his hands together like a Birdman reaction gif.—
Dash Lewis,
Pitchfork,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The friends along with two women and children were finishing a meal from Wingstop at the apartment when the argument led to gunfire, Davis’ mother, Sherika Kennedy, told the Star-Telegram.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Rodriguez starred in Season 6 of the Peacock dating series and was one of the breakout stars that year, making it to the final and finishing in third place, coupled with Jana Craig.—
Armando Tinoco,
Deadline,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The three compressions are Spanxsmooth Swim, which is light compression for barely there smoothing; Spanxshape Swim, medium compression for a little more tummy control and shaping, and Spanxsculpt Swim, strong compression that cinches and snatches.—
Lisa Lockwood,
Footwear News,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Appealing Venus is parading into your 6th House of Habits, bringing sweetness to routines and smoothing dynamics, which suits a diplomatic style of handling events.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The process includes passing the FAA knowledge test, completing ground school and learning how to control, maintain, transport and assemble the aircraft.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
8 Feb. 2026
-
The company says the trucks set an industry record by completing 200 battery swaps in a single day, highlighting the potential of its autonomous, battery-swapping technology to increase productivity and minimize downtime in large-scale mining operations.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Finally, to ensure the doors are working smoothly, Sibley suggests applying high-quality car wax to the aluminum, buffing off the wax with a microfiber towel, and then finishing with a light coat of WD40 or Silicone spray on the rollers.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
4 Feb. 2026
-
For extra shine, Sokolowski suggests buffing lightly with a dry cloth.—
Rae Ford,
Martha Stewart,
17 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
And the whole hall, baseboards and walls, is painted in Benjamin Moore’s Scuff-X finish, durable enough for scrubbing with soap or a Magic Eraser.—
Kelley Bruss,
Dallas Morning News,
11 Feb. 2026
-
That’s why scrolling by date and scrubbing through videos still works — search hides uncertainty, scrolling shows everything.—
Ken Colburn,
AZCentral.com,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Polishing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/polishing. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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