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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of polishing
This is why authorities at the National Park Service, which maintains the statue, have repeatedly rejected any notion of polishing away the green covering.
—
Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
Silver Centerpieces For anyone who's ever gotten stuck polishing silver, there's good news.
—Heather Bien, Southern Living, 3 Sep. 2025
When growth takes off, there's often a temptation to start polishing everything.
—Mike Vietri, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
In perhaps Petty’s most existential cover, Fay, while polishing a silver pitcher, is stopped by the fun-house reflection of her face.
—Chris Ware, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
The brilliant white plinth undergoes seven grinding and polishing stages to achieve its glass-smooth finish.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 23 Aug. 2025
After mostly rising through Detroit’s system as a third baseman, Keith spent his entire rookie season learning and polishing his play at second base.
—Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2025
Assistant coach Aaron Wheeler, who played 11 years as a pro, has been working with Dieng, polishing his back-of-the-net finishing skills.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 16 Aug. 2025
Everything is connected by my love of the craft, the thrill of working through ideas and narrowing them down and polishing it all up in the end.
—Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 14 Aug. 2025
Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
Silver Centerpieces For anyone who's ever gotten stuck polishing silver, there's good news.
—Heather Bien, Southern Living, 3 Sep. 2025
When growth takes off, there's often a temptation to start polishing everything.
—Mike Vietri, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
In perhaps Petty’s most existential cover, Fay, while polishing a silver pitcher, is stopped by the fun-house reflection of her face.
—Chris Ware, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
The brilliant white plinth undergoes seven grinding and polishing stages to achieve its glass-smooth finish.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 23 Aug. 2025
After mostly rising through Detroit’s system as a third baseman, Keith spent his entire rookie season learning and polishing his play at second base.
—Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2025
Assistant coach Aaron Wheeler, who played 11 years as a pro, has been working with Dieng, polishing his back-of-the-net finishing skills.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 16 Aug. 2025
Everything is connected by my love of the craft, the thrill of working through ideas and narrowing them down and polishing it all up in the end.
—Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 14 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for polishing
Verb
-
Wipe dust from hardware, lightly rubbing visibly dirty spots.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
16 Sep. 2025
-
The sports star shared another full-length shot of the couple — who currently reside in Oslo — with their arms around each other on the same white sands, while a third closer-up image showed the couple smiling and rubbing noses.—
Kayla Grant,
PEOPLE,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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However, to artists, finishing a body of work that takes you on a musica journey is still the supreme accomplishment for a musician.—
Steve Baltin,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
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To craft a similar fall porch decoration, use a finishing nail to make a hole in the rim of each mold.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The handle twists at a 90-degree angle to become a high-speed hair dryer, but locked into its upright position, the device converts into a self-winding curling iron, a frizz-smoothing paddle brush, and a volume-building oval brush.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Offset spatula This decorating tool is a skinny, rectangular spatula used to assist in smoothing icing, which will give your cake a polished finish.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
James attended Baylor University, completing the university’s pre-medical program in 1991, the university’s magazine posted.—
Caroline Zimmerman,
Kansas City Star,
20 Sep. 2025
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Quarterback Angelo Renda orchestrated the offense, passing for 281 yards and completing 18 of 22 passes (82%).—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
If needed, follow that up by buffing with a clean microfiber cloth.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Instead, Bungie rolled out a TWAB last week that was nerfing player progression instead of buffing it.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
28 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Doc is scrubbing in for season 2.—
Christopher Rudolph,
People.com,
14 Sep. 2025
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This process lifts stains without increasing their surface area, which can be an issue when scrubbing by hand with a cloth or brush.—
Maggie Horton,
PEOPLE,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Polishing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/polishing. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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