1
as in sleek
having a shiny surface or finish
she could see her face reflected in the polished hood of the car
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in cultured
having or showing a taste for the fine arts and gracious living
showing the polished manners of a cosmopolitan woman
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in smoothed
to make smooth or glossy usually by repeatedly applying surface pressure
you'll need to polish your shoes with a clean rag before the performance
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in finished
to bring (something) to a state where nothing remains to be done
once you polish the article a bit, it'll be ready to submit
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of polished
Amanda Le, InStyle, 24 May 2026
Do not wait until every edge is polished.
—Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2026
Kansas City Star, 15 May 2026
Qatar’s role is polished and deliberate.
—Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for polished
Adjective
The overall vibe is quiet luxury—rich, polished, and well-maintained, without over-lightening the hair.
—Amanda Le, InStyle, 24 May 2026
Do not wait until every edge is polished.
—Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2026
Verb
Its green backsplash, concrete floors and oak tables were being wiped down and polished during the Thursday visit with The Star.
—Kansas City Star, 15 May 2026
Qatar’s role is polished and deliberate.
—Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for polished
Recent Examples of Synonyms for polished
Adjective
-
This Samsonite style has a sleek design, a padded laptop compartment, and an expandable water bottle pocket.—
Jeaneen Russell,
PEOPLE,
24 May 2026
-
Instead of anything too clingy or tailored, opt for a more bohemian-style approach with flowy wrap dresses, retro aviator shades, and faux leather sandals that can tackle Paris’ cobblestone streets but still look sleek enough for a beach club in Cannes or Saint-Tropez.—
Lane Nieset,
Travel + Leisure,
24 May 2026
Adjective
-
Inside, the 56-room hotel feels intimate and cultured.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
27 May 2026
-
Visitors to Pike Place Market can fortify themselves with a bracing to-go cup at Rachel’s Ginger Beer or a scoop of cultured gelato from Hellenika Cultured Creamery, a nearly intellectual alternative to ice cream, before crossing the new pedestrian-only Overlook Walk.—
Allecia Vermillion,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
26 May 2026
Verb
-
He has not been smoothed by the sandpaper of Washington just yet.—
Rob Crilly,
The Washington Examiner,
19 May 2026
-
His expression smoothed itself out.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
Steven finished the last of his tea.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 May 2026
-
Golden State led by as much as 11 in the second quarter, but Indiana finished the half strong as both teams went into halftime tied at 44.—
Nathan Canilao,
Mercury News,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
Michigan has banned the import of six invasive plant species, writes the Detroit Free Press, including the Callery pear tree, glossy buckthorn, common buckthorn and Japanese barberry.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
-
Lopez pulled out her signature glam for the evening, highlighting her features with smoky eyeshadow, a glossy nude lip, and sculpted cheekbones.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
28 May 2026
Adjective
-
No civilized country in the world will do that.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
20 May 2026
-
Stephens never plays a mustache-twirling sadist, instead carrying himself with the unbearable confidence of a man truly convinced that his version of abuse and even murder is civilized.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
Esperantist doctors rubbed shoulders with members of the International League of Blind Esperantists, and the World Association of Esperantist Non-smokers edged in on the Ukrainian Esperanto Association.—
Katie Thornton,
Harpers Magazine,
26 May 2026
-
The fan, who was on the other side of the fence at eye level, immediately rubbed it in with an insult.—
Jon Greenberg,
New York Times,
22 May 2026
Verb
-
Notably, the agency completed more than 85% of its internal affairs investigations within 180 days, a mark the department had struggled to reach in recent years.—
Jakob Rodgers,
Mercury News,
28 May 2026
-
The Lexus Vaults, which were completed in December, include access for all events inside the arena.—
Josh Robbins,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Polished.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/polished. Accessed 30 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
