as in to polish
to cover (something) with varnish
He varnished the table.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of varnish
Cathy Kozlowicz, Journal Sentinel, 11 June 2024
The floors squeak and haven’t been varnished in decades.
—Alexander J. Motyl, Foreign Affairs, 4 Aug. 2016
Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 24 Feb. 2025
And thanks to the refinery, Nigeria has become a net exporter of jet fuel, naphtha (a solvent used in varnishes, laundry soaps, cleaning fluids) and fuel oil, according to S&P Global.
—John Hyatt, Forbes, 17 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for varnish
Verb
The common sources of lead exposure, according to the Washington Ozaukee Public Health Department, include paint and varnish in homes built before 1978, some soil and tap water exposure, clay pots, spices, toys, makeup, jewelry and ammunition.
—Cathy Kozlowicz, Journal Sentinel, 11 June 2024
The floors squeak and haven’t been varnished in decades.
—Alexander J. Motyl, Foreign Affairs, 4 Aug. 2016
Noun
This room offers a confusing parting shot, one made all the more befuddling by its portal, a door whose wood has nearly been stripped of its varnish, possibly by decades of use.
—Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 24 Feb. 2025
And thanks to the refinery, Nigeria has become a net exporter of jet fuel, naphtha (a solvent used in varnishes, laundry soaps, cleaning fluids) and fuel oil, according to S&P Global.
—John Hyatt, Forbes, 17 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for varnish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for varnish
Verb
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Loungewear sets are a common airport outfit, but Markle’s striped button-down shirt and matching flared pants looked comfortable, but also polished enough to wear to work or dinner.—
Rylee Johnston,
Travel + Leisure,
12 Mar. 2025
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Plus, like all Essie polishes, the creamy formula is vegan, salon-quality, and priced affordably.—
Jenny Berg,
Vogue,
7 Mar. 2025
Noun
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This gloss comes in a ton of different shades and is 15% off right now.—
ABBY KASS,
Miami Herald,
3 Mar. 2025
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Better yet, choose a specific tire foam/shine product to give the tires a wet-look gloss and further protect the rubber compound against fading and cracking.—
Jim Gorzelany,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Thinking fast, the kid rubs his fists in broken glass, instantly upgrading his wimpy, untrained knuckles into deadly weapons.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
8 Mar. 2025
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The seams don't rub, even with a heavy pack on, and the cut is roomy without being too baggy.—
Scott Gilbertson,
WIRED,
6 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Though technically a burl veneer, the patterning varies from one design to another for a one-of-a-kind look.—
Shoko Wanger,
Architectural Digest,
28 Feb. 2025
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Despite her recent opposition to Markle, McCain famously took a stance against the British monarchy in the past — enough so that her prior observations about Markle and Oprah Winfrey's contributions to chipping away at the royal system's veneer during an episode of The View went viral online.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
20 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Diversification can smooth the ride and mitigate the impact on investors when a high-flyer like Tesla hits turbulence.—
Shahar Ziv,
Forbes,
11 Mar. 2025
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The result is an indulgent, cooling formula that strengthens your skin barrier, smooths fine lines, and boosts your natural glow.—
Deanna Pai,
Allure,
8 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Leaves: Birds like Eastern towhees and wood thrushes use leaves in their nests for camouflage, insulation, and structure.—
Anne Readel,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 Mar. 2025
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Scientists learned in 2023 that the process by which cuttlefish generate their camouflage patterns is significantly more complex than scientists previously thought.—
Jennifer Ouellette,
Ars Technica,
20 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Stir in drained pasta, basil, and lemon zest until coated, adding the remaining 1/4 cup cooking water (about 1 tablespoon at a time) to loosen sauce as needed.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
17 Mar. 2025
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Cover with nonstick foil or foil coated in nonstick spray.—
Sarah Martens,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Kusaka’s playful forms are most commonly seen in her ceramic pots, vases and vessels, often glazed with bright colors and decorated with whimsical geometric patterns.—
Jessica Gelt,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2025
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The set includes a square casserole dish, an oval casserole dish, a pie dish, and a loaf pan all glazed in stunning colors that make this set an excellent choice for serveware.—
Carrie Honaker,
Southern Living,
26 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Varnish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/varnish. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.
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