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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples 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
Joseph Thorndike, Forbes, 15 Dec. 2024
Ole Miss beat Georgia convincingly by 18 points this season, but even if Georgia beats Texas for the SEC title, that won’t burnish Ole Miss’s case for inclusion because, as Manuel said, teams not playing in their conference title game are essentially frozen in the rankings.
—Andrew Greif, NBC News, 6 Dec. 2024
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
His reputation burnished, Truman was in a good spot to reward Hannegan for his loyalty.
—Joseph Thorndike, Forbes, 15 Dec. 2024
Ole Miss beat Georgia convincingly by 18 points this season, but even if Georgia beats Texas for the SEC title, that won’t burnish Ole Miss’s case for inclusion because, as Manuel said, teams not playing in their conference title game are essentially frozen in the rankings.
—Andrew Greif, NBC News, 6 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for burnish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for burnish
Noun
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The gleam of light, although only lasting for a thousandth of a second, is powerful enough to outshine an entire galaxy.Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 3 Jan. 2025
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Sweet almond and buriti oils moisturize and strengthen the hair fibers, while carrot oil neutralizes yellow hues and makes the hair gleam.Jenny Berg, Allure, 31 Dec. 2024
Verb
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For protection, Hu recommends wearing wraparound glasses or goggles when outdoors and avoiding touching or rubbing your eyes.Jackie Snow, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2025
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The Irish were also motivated to win Thursday by some pregame comments made by Penn State coach James Franklin, who apparently rubbed Freeman the wrong way during the coaches’ pregame press conference.Manny Navarro, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Strolling along the park’s paths, which are much quieter in the winter months, visitors will encounter powerful works depicting human emotions and relationships, framed by the soft glow of winter light.David Nikel, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025
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With the flash used by the photographer, the crab looks to be standing at center stage, in the glow of a spotlight.Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Instead, Cardozo recommends placing a tea towel in the sink, washing the crystal in lukewarm water with a mild detergent, and polishing it with a lint-free towel.Heather Bien, Southern Living, 7 Jan. 2025
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Stepping out onto cold Turkish marble, polished by centuries of footsteps, feels like walking into the pages of mythology.Jennifer Leigh Parker, Forbes, 4 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Lastly, rely on a featherweight veil of setting powder strategically placed to the T-zone and oily areas to control excess shine then mist on a dose of setting spray.Kiana Murden, Vogue, 10 Jan. 2025
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Within the walls, crafters cast elaborate bronze work and made gray and black pottery burnished to a shine (though reds and buffs got more popular over time).Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 9 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Shopping Beauty Products Skincare These surprisingly simple tools can help smooth fine lines, acne scars, and more In This Article Our Top Picks Reviews What to Know Behind the Scenes FAQ Why Trust PEOPLE?Jennifer Ford, People.com, 9 Jan. 2025
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It’s packed with marula and moringa seed oils, which smooths frizz and prevents breakage.Ariel Wodarcyk, Glamour, 7 Jan. 2025
Noun
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There's an uncanny, alien quality to her voice, which unfurls like incense smoke, while the track's speckled bongos and subtle chimes glint like light reflected off a cocktail glass.EW.com, EW.com, 14 Dec. 2024
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An electric line snakes in from a nearby pole, and a satellite dish glints in the sun.Debra Utacia Krol, The Arizona Republic, 20 Nov. 2024
Noun
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The panel is an ultra-low glare design, too, thanks to premium low-reflection technology, and supports wider viewing angles than regular LCD models.John Archer, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
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This image's fiery glare, eyes swirled in their galactic arms, is a combination of mixed-spectrum captures using the James Webb Space Telescope for mid-infrared light, and the Hubble Space Telescope for visible and ultraviolet light.Space.com Staff, Space.com, 1 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near burnish
Cite this Entry
“Burnish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/burnish. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.
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