as in polished
having a shiny surface or finish
bright burnished metal is used extensively in that boutique's decor
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in rubbed
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
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Recent Examples of burnished
The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 Sep. 2025
Here, Roald Dahl’s classic 1970 children’s book of the same name becomes a deeply charming (and incredibly star-studded) stop-motion adventure, bathed from top to toe in the reds, golds, and burnished oranges of fall.
—Emma Specter, Vogue, 30 Aug. 2025
The incredible landscape is blanketed by deciduous forests, which are burnished with color in autumn.
—Caroline Rogers, Southern Living, 30 Aug. 2025
The result is a resurgence that has burnished nitrous’s longtime reputation among users as a cheap, easy high — and one that has leaked out of concert parking lots and into the mainstream.
—John Wenzel, Denver Post, 6 Aug. 2025
Verb
Like all good bistros, this one serves a roast chicken as burnished as a penny, uncharacteristically earthy and sweet thanks to the funky, flavor-intensifying power of koji.
—The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 Sep. 2025
Here, Roald Dahl’s classic 1970 children’s book of the same name becomes a deeply charming (and incredibly star-studded) stop-motion adventure, bathed from top to toe in the reds, golds, and burnished oranges of fall.
—Emma Specter, Vogue, 30 Aug. 2025
The incredible landscape is blanketed by deciduous forests, which are burnished with color in autumn.
—Caroline Rogers, Southern Living, 30 Aug. 2025
The result is a resurgence that has burnished nitrous’s longtime reputation among users as a cheap, easy high — and one that has leaked out of concert parking lots and into the mainstream.
—John Wenzel, Denver Post, 6 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for burnished
Adjective
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With a yellow gold case framing the timeless depth of a polished Onyx dial, the Geneva Minute Repeater was one of the absolute best drops in Geneva last week.—
Thor Svaboe,
Robb Report,
9 Sep. 2025
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Tongue-and-groove construction makes for easy installation on site and a polished look when finished.—
Miles Walls,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Freeland agreed with Doyle that the negative coverage has rubbed some players the wrong way.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
9 Sep. 2025
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Vähäsarja vigorously rubbed some cups on Landers’s back—cupping creates a vacuum and stimulates blood flow—and turned the whole thing bright pink.—
Sarah Larson,
New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Outdoor scenes especially are artfully composed, such as a distant view of a bridge with the river flowing under it in the foreground, or the glistening look of a puddle on the street at night.—
Caryn James,
HollywoodReporter,
31 Aug. 2025
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Its mesmerizing turquoise lakes, towering granite pinnacles, and vast, glistening glaciers have earned the park recognition as the crown jewel of Patagonia region, a vast natural frontier which stretches over 1,000 miles from Chile to the tip of Argentina.—
Elizabeth Brownfield,
Forbes.com,
31 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Doctors sawed off part of the bone, smoothed and flattened the rest and closed the wound with skin and soft tissue.—
Michael Collins,
USA Today,
18 Aug. 2025
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Card networks and domestic wallet apps have smoothed many edges, yet many of those wallets still use the same traditional systems.—
Alvin Kan,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Beneath the surface of this glossy novel is a heartfelt depiction of the obstacles aspirant writers face in trying to both produce and publish.—
Susan Coll
September 12,
Literary Hub,
12 Sep. 2025
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Rather than relying solely on glossy imagery or abstract measurements, its website takes a consumer-first approach.—
Kate Hardcastle,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The 849 Testarossa—which will be available as a coupe or spider with a retractable top—sports a sleek yet aggressive look in line with the rest of the brand’s current lineup, in particular the F80 and 296.—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
10 Sep. 2025
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Kevan Hall launched his career in the 1980s, quickly making his mark with sleek, elegant designs that fused Hollywood glamour with modern sophistication.—
Karissa Mitchell,
Essence,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Some people take all the components off the frame, strip off all the decals, then get the whole thing sanded and powder-coated with a fresh coat of paint.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
9 Sep. 2025
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Use in anti-counterfeiting measures In this new study, researchers placed a liquid crystal solution between two pieces of glass coated with dye molecules.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Pop a satin version on top of your usual night-out curls to make the 'do feel glamorous.—
Jasmine Washington,
Seventeen,
18 Jan. 2023
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From satin pillowcases to a hydrating moisturizer, all of these products are on sale for less than $25.—
Isabel Garcia,
Peoplemag,
13 Jan. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Burnished.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/burnished. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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