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
The Editors, National Review, 5 Feb. 2025
In recent years, he’s burnished his reputation as a mentor to promising brands across the industry and an investor with stakes in Alice + Olivia, Veronica Beard, the recently launched TWP and others.
—Evan Clark, WWD, 5 Feb. 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
Through poverty-reduction programs, public-health initiatives, and humanitarian assistance, America has at times burnished its reputation abroad, while also doing good at a relatively affordable price.
—The Editors, National Review, 5 Feb. 2025
In recent years, he’s burnished his reputation as a mentor to promising brands across the industry and an investor with stakes in Alice + Olivia, Veronica Beard, the recently launched TWP and others.
—Evan Clark, WWD, 5 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for burnish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for burnish
Noun
-
From a helicopter, the juxtaposition was halting: The gleam of the Pacific in its unchanging glory, running parallel for miles against sheer devastation.—
Loren Elliott,
New York Times,
10 Jan. 2025
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While its scent is a perk, the real advantages come from a blend of Ayurvedic ingredients that fortify the hair and give it a glossy gleam.—
Jenny Berg,
Allure,
1 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Clean both hands between the fingers and fingertips, then rub the back of your fingers against your palms.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
17 Feb. 2025
-
Someone in your network may rub you the wrong way today.—
USA TODAY,
USA TODAY,
16 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The universe is setting you up for a major glow up.—
Dossé-Via Trenou,
refinery29.com,
27 Feb. 2025
-
This face cream has a shimmery base to give major glow and is spiked with Korean white ginseng, hyaluronic acid and mandarin extract to brighten from within, plus gently exfoliate and hydrate too.—
Celia Shatzman,
Forbes,
26 Feb. 2025
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
-
Metallic Thread The ladylike jacket is primed to be integrated into your evening wardrobe—just add a little shine to it.—
Kerry Pieri,
Vogue,
18 Feb. 2025
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The sides have experienced mixed fortunes in this season’s competition — but even meeting in the new play-off round cannot dull the rivalry’s shine.—
Guillermo Rai,
The Athletic,
17 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
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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Think bold reds, glints of gold, and just the right amount of flair to take you from polite family dinners to full-on bar crawls.—
Crystal Chen,
Vogue,
24 Jan. 2025
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Using specialized macro lenses, the crew captured millimeter-level details, from the glint in a spider’s eye to the fine hairs on a beetle’s mandibles.—
Tony Bradley,
Forbes,
14 Jan. 2025
Noun
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To use a poker analogy, Apple has called the UK’s bluff against a glare of negative publicity.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes,
22 Feb. 2025
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Pasteur struggled to make out the path in the glare of sunlight bouncing off the ice.—
Carl Zimmer,
New York Times,
17 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Burnish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/burnish. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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