as in to polish
to cover (something) with varnish
He varnished the table.
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Recent Examples of varnish
Gabriela Molina Riascos, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Apr. 2025
Both works underwent conservation at Harvard, with conservators Ellen Davis and Kate Smith noting that Two Human Beings had at one point been varnished, in a move inconsistent with Munch’s practice, and that Train Smoke had accumulated atmospheric grime and was in need of paint stabilization.
—News Desk, Artforum, 6 Feb. 2025
Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 7 Feb. 2026
The dial is created by applying 15 layers of clear lacquer over a coat of Tiffany blue-colored varnish.
—Carol Besler, Robb Report, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for varnish
Verb
In Pasto, a community gathers around varnishing — from old trade networks between harvesters, carpenters, and varnishers to fairs where artisans demonstrate their craft.
—Gabriela Molina Riascos, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Apr. 2025
Both works underwent conservation at Harvard, with conservators Ellen Davis and Kate Smith noting that Two Human Beings had at one point been varnished, in a move inconsistent with Munch’s practice, and that Train Smoke had accumulated atmospheric grime and was in need of paint stabilization.
—News Desk, Artforum, 6 Feb. 2025
Noun
Finishes like polyurethane, varnish, or laminate add a protective topcoat to your cabinets to protect them from substances like grease.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 7 Feb. 2026
The dial is created by applying 15 layers of clear lacquer over a coat of Tiffany blue-colored varnish.
—Carol Besler, Robb Report, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for varnish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for varnish
Verb
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Swap to the higher grit stone and repeat the whole process to polish and set the edge.—
Jesse Raub,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
30 Mar. 2026
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The program acts almost like a navigation map for individuals intent on entering the sector, from polishing resumes to grasping industry dynamics.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Sponsor me, lip-gloss brands, selfie ring lights, and Big Pharma antidepressants!—
Emily Menez,
New Yorker,
31 Mar. 2026
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Take the snug, where a wall unit painted in a high-gloss chocolate brown serves as a sleek counterpoint to the deep-dish velvet sofa.—
Laura Regensdorf,
Architectural Digest,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Mona says, rub her down with alcohol, then some Vicks, put the kettle on for the hot water bottle.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Apr. 2026
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Nakua discussed touchdown celebrations on YouTuber Adin Ross' stream, and, in the video, Ross instructed Nakua to spike the ball, flex and then rub his hands together.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Perhaps predictably, one of her favorite pieces in the line is a gracefully curved dressing table in walnut and birch veneers.—
Mayer Rus,
Architectural Digest,
30 Mar. 2026
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Researchers at Austria's Graz University of Technology explored this wild idea while thinking about ways to prevent layers of wood veneers from peeling off each other when they were forced apart with regular use.—
Abhimanyu Ghoshal,
New Atlas,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Scrape batter into prepared baking sheet and, using a medium offset spatula, gently spread to edges, smoothing surface.—
Shilpa Uskokovic,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
1 Apr. 2026
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This collagen cream can help even out dark spots and smooth your skin for a healthy, luminous complexion.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Leaf mimicry is an especially clever form of camouflage.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
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The observed activity could instead reflect internal neural processes, such as refinement of camouflage abilities.—
Samantha Agate,
Miami Herald,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The sun is shining brighter, our days are a little longer, and the pollen is coating things as far as the eye can see.—
Joy Harden Bradford,
AJC.com,
2 Apr. 2026
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These items are coated with Teflon, a material that blocks UV rays and is of best use in warm weather climates.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Work on a potter’s wheel, hand build and glaze pieces created from scratch.—
Jessie Dax-Setkus,
Oc Register,
22 Mar. 2026
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The Pima County Sheriff's Department updated Sheriff Chris Nanos' public resume Tuesday after a local news report highlighted an error in his work history that appeared to glaze over an unhappy split with his first employer in law enforcement.—
Michael Ruiz,
FOXNews.com,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Varnish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/varnish. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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