buffing

verb

present participle of buff
1
as in rubbing
to make smooth by friction she learned to buff semiprecious stones in order to make her own jewelry

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in polishing
to make smooth or glossy usually by repeatedly applying surface pressure the janitor buffed the lobby floor until it shone

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 buffing Classes and skills lean into different styles of play; Astromech droids are entirely support-focused, generating AP (action points) and buffing the party, while the Assault is focused on heavy damage and drawing aggro. — Hayes Madsen, Space.com, 26 Aug. 2026 Rapinchuk adds that a Magic Eraser is a useful cleaning tool for buffing out scuffs and marks. — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 24 Aug. 2026 Use this to wipe the entire surface, buffing in the direction of the grain. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 18 Aug. 2026 Start by pushing back your cuticles, lightly buffing your nails, and filing the tips for a nice and tidy canvas. — Kara Jillian Brown, InStyle, 8 Aug. 2026 Most people use the miracle sponge for buffing out wall or floor scuffs, but Macqueen’s recommendation is an eye-opener. — Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 July 2026 Use an applicator pad (often supplied with the wax) and start buffing with a fresh microfiber towel. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 16 June 2026 Ngo coats the nail with a matte primer, which creates a smooth base, before buffing eye shadow across the surface with a nail sponge. — Annie Blay-Tettey, Allure, 27 Apr. 2026 Keep one slightly damp microfiber cloth for cleaning and one dry microfiber cloth for buffing. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 27 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for buffing
  1. rubbing
  2. polishing
  3. sanding
  4. smoothing
  5. grinding
  6. filing
  7. sharpening
Verb
  • Rubbing Alcohol Head to the drug store for a bottle of 70% isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol to clean windows.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The redyed fabrics showed uniform color uptake and washing and rubbing fastness comparable to the reference fabric, according to the study.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of rubbing
Verb
  • Live Edit, Video Capture, and Formats Snap Pro 26 continues to build on past iterations' strengths by keeping what worked and further polishing it.
    — Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Founders often spend too much time polishing the story when skeptical early adopters are looking for evidence of execution.
    — Lilian Raji, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of polishing
Verb
  • For more than five decades, the brand has grown without sanding down the personality that made its original spaces memorable.
    — Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Before planting any hibiscus seeds, start by nicking or sanding the seeds using fine-grade sandpaper or the tip of a knife.
    — Shelby Vittek, The Spruce, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of sanding
Verb
  • That said, the evolution aspect of the formula is in its skin-loving ingredients like peptides, niacinamide, and microgreens for skin-smoothing and oil-balancing benefits.
    — Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The lightweight formula pairs olive, argan, jojoba, sunflower, and safflower oils with smoothing silicones to calm frizz and boost shine.
    — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of smoothing
Verb
  • Its core 1970s grinding yet melodic bluesy approach didn’t shift when synthesizers became the rage in the 1980s or when grunge overtook the rock world in the 1990s.
    — Rodney Ho, AJC.com, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The strain of ‘climbing the ladder’ The best esports players often have grinding schedules.
    — Erica D. Henn, The Conversation, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of grinding
Verb
  • The petitioners, primarily represented by Adam Pauley, responded in filing a document requesting the board to strike the objections.
    — Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
  • In 1981, after filing an Equal Employment Opportunity complaint, Shulman became a jumper.
    — M. R. O’Connor, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of filing
Verb
  • The Sun conjoins Mercury in Virgo and your 1st House of Self, sharpening your voice, presence, choices, and personal direction.
    — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Truist focused on growth Truist has been sharpening its strategic focus on growth and performance.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of sharpening

Browse Nearby Words

buffi
buffing
buffo
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Cite this Entry

“Buffing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/buffing. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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