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 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
Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2024
Hong Kong vowed to foster a digital-asset hub in 2022 as part of an effort to burnish the city’s standing following a political crackdown that had dulled its appeal.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune Asia, 28 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
She’s always been supportive, but it’s sapped her of a true sense of self, instead subsuming all of her energy and effort into building their business and burnishing their public image.
—Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2024
Hong Kong vowed to foster a digital-asset hub in 2022 as part of an effort to burnish the city’s standing following a political crackdown that had dulled its appeal.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune Asia, 28 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for burnish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for burnish
Noun
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He’s been knee-deep in NASCAR since most of the other rookies were in diapers, or nothing more than a gleam in their father’s eye.Greg Engle, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
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Scott’s Tom Ripley was a clean break from that of Matt Damon; instead of a petulant pretty boy seized by envy and lust, this Ripley was older (Scott is in his late forties) and scarier, a lonesome manipulator with a murderous gleam in his eye.Michael Schulman, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Kaya looked for the bacon in the areas where the owner had rubbed it.Andy Biggs, Newsweek, 25 Dec. 2024
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Da Silva rubbed Anthony’s head and hugged him, too.Josh Robbins, The Athletic, 22 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Will their grudge glow brighter than a menorah, or will sparks fly this season of light?Lizz Schumer, People.com, 21 Dec. 2024
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Farrow & Ball’s Great White paint lacquers the walls, giving the space a subtle lavender glow.Elizabeth Fazzare, Architectural Digest, 20 Dec. 2024
Verb
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On the other side, a smooth and soft microfiber polishes the skin while gently exfoliating the pores.Jenny Berg, Allure, 23 Dec. 2024
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Dust pieces before storage: A light dusting with a soft cloth (such as a jewelry polishing cloth) is usually all that’s needed before organizing breakables to store until next Christmas.Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Get the Recipe 05 of 12 May: Asparagus Casserole Speaking of asparagus, this casserole truly lets this beloved spring vegetable shine.Symiah Dorsey, Southern Living, 27 Dec. 2024
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Yes, the next two votes saw Andy and Genevieve eliminated in quick succession, taking a bit of the shine off of Operation Italy’s gleaming stature.Joe Reid, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2024
Verb
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In a culture where formal niceties smooth many interactions, Mr. Emanuel was blunt and dogged.Motoko Rich, New York Times, 15 Dec. 2024
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Simply use the attachment with its red, amber, and infrared lights for three minutes on each area of your face (such as your forehead, nasolabial folds, and so on) to help smooth and firm, then swap it out for the microcurrent head and slick on some conductive gel to start tightening and toning.Emily Orofino, Vogue, 12 Dec. 2024
Noun
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There's an uncanny, alien quality to her voice, which unfurls like incense smoke, while the track's speckled bongos and subtle chimes glint like light reflected off a cocktail glass.EW.com, EW.com, 14 Dec. 2024
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An electric line snakes in from a nearby pole, and a satellite dish glints in the sun.Debra Utacia Krol, The Arizona Republic, 20 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Our top all-in-one computer recommendation right now is the latest iMac (9/10, WIRED Recommends), which has plenty of power (and can be configured to deliver more), not to mention an excellent nano-texture screen (a separate add-on) that immensely reduces glare.Julian Chokkattu, WIRED, 20 Dec. 2024
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But Lunsford also suggested to look for a glimpse of the meteors in the early morning hours of Friday and Saturday to avoid the glare of the nearly full moon.Gina Park, CNN, 12 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near burnish
Cite this Entry
“Burnish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/burnish. Accessed 31 Dec. 2024.
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