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
Examples of burnish in a Sentence
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Recent Examples on the Web
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
Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 21 Oct. 2024
After Republicans seized last week on her reluctance to disavow any of Biden's actions over the last four years, Harris came to the Fox interview determined to burnish a more independent image.
—Zachary Basu, Axios, 17 Oct. 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
However, Alcon’s suit alleges, Musk went a step too far in trying to burnish his pitch with Hollywood’s help.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 21 Oct. 2024
After Republicans seized last week on her reluctance to disavow any of Biden's actions over the last four years, Harris came to the Fox interview determined to burnish a more independent image.
—Zachary Basu, Axios, 17 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for burnish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for burnish
Noun
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Look to the north on an island green Where the waves of Puget Sound glisten and gleam.Christine Clarridge, Axios, 30 Oct. 2024
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The studio portrait is characterized by crisp focus, strong contrast between lights and darks, beautiful mid-tones to contour the baby’s cheek, and artful studio lighting to capture alert infant eyes and the gleam of a mother’s cuff button.Andrea Kaston Tange, The Conversation, 6 May 2024
Verb
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Moisten the dryer sheet, rub the soap scum to remove it, and then rinse your shower with clean, warm water to remove any residue.Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 25 Oct. 2024
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Brian, who works with the dogs, is rubbing the side of his face and waiting for the driver.Paul Yoon, The New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2024
Noun
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This sunrise alarm clock gently rouses sleepers by mimicking the glow of dawn.Malia Griggs, Glamour, 25 Oct. 2024
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Following her mom’s lead, Richards's daughter Alexia Umansky shared a video on Instagram of her cat in her kitchen—in the background, a warm, amber light casts an autumnal glow.Sharon Greenthal, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Oct. 2024
Verb
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Olive & June’s gel polishes last up to 21 days, which is nearly twice as long as their competitors.Celia Shatzman, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024
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Shellac has historically been used to coat the surface of almost everything around you, including you (hair sprays, nail and shoe polishes, clothing dyes).Barrett Klein, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Oct. 2024
Noun
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In the 1830s, the ceramists of Höganäs started adding salt to the kilns during firing, which created an acid-resistant glaze and gave it a special shine.Johannes Lichtman, Travel + Leisure, 26 Oct. 2024
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Doors and Moldings: Architectural details stand out with a glossy shine.Kristina McGuirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Oct. 2024
Verb
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It’s given my skin the equivalent of a Paris filter effect, smoothing it out and brightening it in all the right places.Claire Sullivan, WWD, 24 Oct. 2024
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Emollients aim to smooth and lubricate the outermost layer of our epidermis and include ingredients such as ceramides and silicones.Audrey Noble, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2024
Noun
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Thursday’s report provided a glint of hope: Housing inflation slowed to its lowest annual rate since February 2022.Alicia Wallace, CNN, 10 Oct. 2024
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Inside a wet glint, opalescent, full as an egg of creamy gray shadow, sediment ground down finely and suspended like a verdict in a tone.Frances Leviston, The New York Review of Books, 26 Sep. 2024
Noun
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Besides shading the sun’s glare and protecting against the elements, baseball caps have always been worn to represent the home team — in today’s fashion, that translates to personal branding that casually aligns the wearer with a luxe label, interest or experience, or style POV.Olivia Cigliano, WWD, 1 Nov. 2024
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When Al brings out his home-movie camera, circa 1960, the family squints into the glare of the light bar necessary for shooting indoors: this is how midcentury parents captured our happiest moments, by nearly blinding us.Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 1 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near burnish
Cite this Entry
“Burnish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/burnish. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.
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