as in gleam
brightness created by light reflected from a surface
after some much-needed polishing, the silver tea set had a brilliant burnish
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to rub
to make smooth or glossy usually by repeatedly applying surface pressure
burnished the floor of the ballroom to a soft luster
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of burnish
Caleb Crain, Harper's magazine, 22 July 2019
Perhaps the open roasting caused the sugar to caramelize, adding a slightly bitter burnish that mitigated the awful sweetness.
—Mimi Sheraton, The Seattle Times, 25 Sep. 2018
Mitra Taj, New York Times, 17 May 2025
Installers have the ability to burnish (or polish) each layer to create more shine, so the overall finish is almost completely customizable.
—Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for burnish
Noun
As each streetlamp passed, the burnish of its reflected light rolled up alongside them on the asphalt, like a dolphin curious about a new boat in her waters, and then veered away.
—Caleb Crain, Harper's magazine, 22 July 2019
Perhaps the open roasting caused the sugar to caramelize, adding a slightly bitter burnish that mitigated the awful sweetness.
—Mimi Sheraton, The Seattle Times, 25 Sep. 2018
Verb
By the late 1990s, the brainy student had reinvented himself as a courageous pastor in Peru, burnishing his credentials in the order.
—Mitra Taj, New York Times, 17 May 2025
Installers have the ability to burnish (or polish) each layer to create more shine, so the overall finish is almost completely customizable.
—Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for burnish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for burnish
Noun
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Yet beneath the gleam of champagne bars and five-star hotels, a current of mountain grit still flows.—
Spencer Elliott,
Forbes,
9 Mar. 2025
-
Super fine golden pearls give a gorgeous gleam while coconut, avocado and argan oils, plus squalane and vitamin E nourish skin and add radiance.—
Celia Shatzman,
Forbes.com,
29 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Better yet—especially for those with a delicate face of glam—there’s no need to rub the touchless formula in once it’s applied.—
Jenny Berg,
Vogue,
23 May 2025
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Each evening at 6 p.m. sharp, the exclusive cadre that are the guests of Capella gather to rub elbows and swap stories.—
Christopher Cameron,
Robb Report,
22 May 2025
Noun
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Shot in Galicia, a landscape of rocky coasts and salty-blue air, this loosely biographical third feature from Catalan filmmaker Carla Simón, part of the Cannes competition slate, has a wistful, earthy glow.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
23 May 2025
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Brick walls and exposed piping contrast with wooden furniture, white couches and floor cushions and the warm glow of Noguchi lampshades.—
Lina Abascal,
Los Angeles Times,
21 May 2025
Verb
-
Pryor was a savant at polishing his challenging circumstances and debilitating neuroses into crowd-pleasing material, and this is broadly how he’s remembered in comedy history.—
Vulture Staff,
Vulture,
23 May 2025
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The company has also really polished its software over the years, offering lots of customization.—
Julian Chokkattu,
Wired News,
23 May 2025
Noun
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While 24-hour room service, shoe shine service, one free bag of laundry service per suite (every 7 days)—and complimentary wifi, specialty dining, and access to the Thalassotherapy pool and spa deck, complete a weighty list of suite-level perks.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2025
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Designed to set makeup and shield the the face with sun protection, the 70 percent organic formula has a matte finish to keep shine at bay even on the sweatiest of summer days.—
Jenny Berg,
Vogue,
23 May 2025
Verb
-
Who doesn’t love a pair of leggings that sucks you in and smoothes your midsection?—
Elizabeth Mitchell Kadar,
Glamour,
2 June 2025
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The team was accused of stuffing and smoothing the seams of the rear attenuator, a part that is standard for all teams and therefore cannot be modified.—
Eduard Cauich,
Los Angeles Times,
25 May 2025
Noun
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From the windows of her family’s 14th-floor apartment, Alvarez was transfixed by the view of cars threading along the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway and the glint of the Manhattan Bridge.—
Elly Fishman,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
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The images often frame Bono in shadow, with glints of light around him, lending a chiaroscuro elegance to his presence.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
16 May 2025
Noun
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The Indy native has seen the city thrive under the glare of two NBA All-Star Games, the CFP national championship game, and dozens of other national and international championships.—
Michael Marot,
Chicago Tribune,
23 May 2025
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It is formulated with LED lights with glare control and low optical flicker for eye care.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
15 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Burnish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/burnish. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
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