BURNISH Synonyms: 75 Similar and Opposite Words

burnish 1 of 2

noun

Definition of burnish

as in gleam

brightness created by light reflected from a surface after some much-needed polishing, the silver tea set had a brilliant burnish

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

burnish

2 of 2

verb

ˈbər-nish

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

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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 burnish

Noun

Fretting that the fabled bash was losing its luster, Guiducci ordered up some major burnishes. — Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 18 Mar. 2026 The storytelling has an unfussy classical burnish that feels nicely scaled to its time and place. — Justin Chang, Los Angeles Times, 22 Dec. 2023

Verb

The Obama Presidential Center opening June 18 also bodes well for tourism, both in burnishing the city’s image and creating a new attraction to draw domestic and international visitors to Chicago, Reynolds said. — Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2026 Ruto has burnished his ties with Western leaders. — semafor.com, 19 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for burnish

Recent Examples of Synonyms for burnish

Noun

The main camera is positioned so that Big Bear Lake gleams in the background, changing hue throughout the day.

— Alex Ross, New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2026
Meanwhile, Tucuma-seed and buriti oils soften the skin and boost its radiance for a subtle, youthful gleam.

— Jenny Berg, Vogue, 17 July 2026

Definition of gleam

Noun

Place it atop a credenza to create a diffused glow throughout the room in lieu of harsh overhead lighting.

— Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 27 Aug. 2026
Overnight, the foundation became a staple among makeup artists and beauty lovers worldwide, thanks to its second-skin finish and lit-from-within glow.

— Beth Sobol, Flow Space, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of glow

Noun

The non-sticky finish adds a subtle shine, and nourishing ingredients like mango seed oil, shea butter, and hyaluronic acid keep lips feeling smooth and hydrated.

— 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 shine

Verb

Investors should also not underestimate the smoothing effect of SpaceX's inclusion into major indexes like the Nasdaq 100 and Russell 1000.

— Oliver Renick, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
The lightweight formula is packed with vitamin E and niacinamide to plump and smooth your complexion while simultaneously protecting it.

— Kara Jillian Brown, InStyle, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of smooth

Noun

There’s a glint of Miss Piggy’s quick wit in the comedic edge and blonde ambitions of Jennifer Coolidge.

— Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026
Steve Gleason, co-founder of Crowfoot Range and a member of the Avimor neighborhood watch, was the first to point out the glint of a pickup truck on the far hill.

— Noah Daly August 6, Idaho Statesman, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of glint

Noun

In living rooms, televisions are often placed in locations where ambient light from the windows can cause visible glare.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 31 Aug. 2026
The concept is basically like a solar eclipse; a coronagraph blocks out the glare of a star such that anything around that star can come into focus.

— Monisha Ravisetti, Space.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of glare

Browse Nearby Words

burning (up)

burnish

burnished

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“Burnish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/burnish. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of burnish

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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