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
Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 28 Apr. 2025
Gold climbed to burnish its reputation as a safe investment, unlike some others.
—Arkansas Online, 21 Apr. 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
Lawler sought to burnish his image as a straight-talking problem solver who can work with everyone from Trump to Democrats to get things done.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 28 Apr. 2025
Gold climbed to burnish its reputation as a safe investment, unlike some others.
—Arkansas Online, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for burnish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for burnish
Noun
-
On opening night, the soprano’s top notes blazed out with a cool gleam, but her lower and middle registers lacked the heft needed to punch through Strauss’s dense textures.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
19 May 2025
-
Yet beneath the gleam of champagne bars and five-star hotels, a current of mountain grit still flows.—
Spencer Elliott,
Forbes,
9 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
So in the long run, even somewhere like Oxford won't be rubbing their hands with glee if life is harder for Harvard — because Oxford and Harvard do projects together.—
Willem Marx,
NPR,
5 June 2025
-
Privately, Musk rubbed a number of senior officials the wrong way during his time in government, and his complaints about a key legislative goal may further agitate his critics in the administration.—
Miranda Nazzaro,
The Hill,
4 June 2025
Noun
-
This view of the Truman Home at 215 N. Delaware Street in Independence carries the Kodachrome glow of the 1950s.—
Randy Mason,
Kansas City Star,
4 June 2025
-
But as the glow of last year’s AI hype fades, reality is setting in: Companies that rushed toward shiny new tech without fixing their foundations are now struggling to scale it.—
Kristin Russel,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2025
Verb
-
Elevated by fluted panels and a duo of discreet storage drawers, its look is polished enough to nimbly complement non-office settings.—
Erika Owen,
Architectural Digest,
3 June 2025
-
The formal coupes are polished using specialty techniques to reveal a reflective, opalescent finish.—
Maria Conti,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 June 2025
Noun
-
Use it post-style for shine, on damp hair to seal in hydration and add nourishment, pressed into braids or locs, or even mixed into conditioner for an extra boost.—
Martine Thompson,
Essence,
5 June 2025
-
The texture of the shampoo was rich, coated the hair well, and imparted a like-new shine — thanks to the product’s rich ingredients of coconut oil, silk proteins, shea butter, and neem oil.—
Kayla Blanton,
People.com,
5 June 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
-
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
-
There are also some unexpected turns, like Glinda walking down the aisle toward Fiyero and a glint of Dorothy's silver shoes, moments not found in the stage version.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
5 June 2025
-
All eyes are on the upcoming NATO summit in The Hague next month, officials hoping for a glint of clarity on how the U.S. wants to remould its relations with Europe.—
Ellie Cook — reporting from Rovajärvi, northern Finland,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 May 2025
Noun
-
At one point, El Moussa's father could be observed getting upset and turning around to glare at the man.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
13 June 2025
-
Sometimes leaders, like astronomers, need tools to block out the glare and find the right path to new discoveries.—
Eric Reicin,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Burnish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/burnish. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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