as in to polish
to cover (something) with varnish
He varnished the table.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of varnish
Cathy Kozlowicz, Journal Sentinel, 11 June 2024
The floors squeak and haven’t been varnished in decades.
—Alexander J. Motyl, Foreign Affairs, 4 Aug. 2016
Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 24 Nov. 2024
Constructed of plywood and veneer with a clear coat of varnish, it can be built with nails, screws, or glue, and requires a drill, panel saw, jigsaw and nail gun.
—R. Daniel Foster, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for varnish
Verb
The common sources of lead exposure, according to the Washington Ozaukee Public Health Department, include paint and varnish in homes built before 1978, some soil and tap water exposure, clay pots, spices, toys, makeup, jewelry and ammunition.
—Cathy Kozlowicz, Journal Sentinel, 11 June 2024
The floors squeak and haven’t been varnished in decades.
—Alexander J. Motyl, Foreign Affairs, 4 Aug. 2016
Noun
Crowley enhanced the room with wood varnish and murals that were over-detailed.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 24 Nov. 2024
Constructed of plywood and veneer with a clear coat of varnish, it can be built with nails, screws, or glue, and requires a drill, panel saw, jigsaw and nail gun.
—R. Daniel Foster, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for varnish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for varnish
Verb
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Add those things to some of the improvement areas the Bears already identified for Williams — from polishing his footwork to better understanding protection plans to mastering his reads — and the to-do list is substantial.—
Dan Wiederer,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Feb. 2025
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The single-button power control is a favorite feature of our reviewer Williams, as well as the fluffy optic cleaner head that cleans and polishes her hard floors.—
Nashia Baker,
Architectural Digest,
26 Feb. 2025
Noun
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This was also the first time in the history of the competition that a team scored seven goals away from home in the knockout stages, adding record-breaking gloss to the occasion.—
George Ramsay,
CNN,
5 Mar. 2025
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With a sweet scent, this gloss gives your lips the perfect amount of shine.—
Lauryn Jiles,
Miami Herald,
3 Mar. 2025
Verb
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For dried or sticky grease, Marshall suggests switching to dish soap diluted in water and rubbing gently with a soft sponge or microfiber cloth.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
28 Feb. 2025
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Should wooden parts continue to rub together, Ceja says a little wax, soap, or WD-40 can help reduce friction and keep things quiet.—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
27 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Weaving together the crunchy style of Streets of Rage with the progressive aspects of titles like Hades — all wrapped in a stunning paint-like veneer — Absolum has just jumped to the top of must-have list.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
4 Mar. 2025
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Ed’s monstrous behavior under the influence of cortisone shatters the veneer of middle-class gentility to reveal the fault lines repressed beneath it.—
Richard Brody,
The New Yorker,
26 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The best eye primers for mature skin can smooth them out.—
Jennifer Hussein,
Allure,
27 Feb. 2025
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That’s the essential ingredient in this particular Broadway pie, baked as a blend of life’s ups and downs, smoothing then out into a slice of life that supports people living their dreams and learning to find their best selves.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Actual Ad The ad Cambridge sent shows what appears to be a father and son on a hunt, wearing matching camouflage jackets with rifles slung over their left shoulders.—
Corey G. Johnson,
ProPublica,
27 Feb. 2025
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Females tend to use this for camouflage, while males use it to show off.—
Elizabeth Rayne,
Ars Technica,
23 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Similar to brands like Stanley and Yeti, Hydro Flask water bottles are vacuum insulated and made from stainless steel that’s coated in a host of eye-catching colors.—
Clint Davis,
People.com,
4 Mar. 2025
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The middle portion of the dress, which stretched from her left bust to her right leg, was coated in yellow and white rhinestones.—
Hannah Jackson,
Vogue,
4 Mar. 2025
Verb
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In this fun and interactive class, students will use coil, pinch and slab methods to create and glaze whimsical animal head plant pots to take home as an artistic memory and memento.—
Philip Potempa,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Feb. 2025
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Loading your audio article Inspired by the famous roast chicken at Zuni Cafe in San Francisco, fashion designer and food writer Peter Som created this take that involves glazing the bird in a sweet-savory blend of hoisin, orange juice and honey.—
Kate Bradshaw,
The Mercury News,
24 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Varnish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/varnish. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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