burnishes

verb

present tense third-person singular of burnish
as in rubs
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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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 burnishes At a time when Erdogan is struggling to resolve the country's growing economic problems, responding to Netanyahu's statements harshly scores points domestically and burnishes his strong leader image. — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 14 Apr. 2026 The contract, further enmeshing JPMorgan with a dominant tech player, burnishes the bank’s reputation as a leader in American finance. — Hugh Son,leslie Picker,laya Neelakandan, CNBC, 7 Jan. 2026 Unconcerned by matters like health insurance and 401(k) contributions, her presence burnishes the reputation of the magazine as an arbiter of good taste. — New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025 In exchange, the company burnishes its halo of high-mindedness, receives the right to feature famous works on its T-shirts, and gets to stage events in empty galleries or under an iconic glass pyramid, furthering the idea that its interests lie in Life as much as in Wear. — Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for burnishes
  1. rubs
  2. polishes
  3. smooths
  4. shines
Verb
  • Vapor rubs containing combinations of camphor, eucalyptus and menthol oils may provide some relief for nighttime cough and cold symptoms when applied to the chest and neck.
    — Andee Tagle, NPR, 15 Oct. 2026
  • There’s a slickness to the carnage that rubs uncomfortably against the film’s humanist ethos, rendering artificial (for all Shen Teng’s trembling and mouth-contorting labors) the horrific tragedies that befall its characters.
    — Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of rubs
Verb
  • While a classic button-down shirt is always timeless, a peplum top offers the same wearability with a waist-defining silhouette that instantly polishes any bottom they’re paired with.
    — Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 1 Aug. 2026
  • The PowerPaste polishes and protects more delicate surfaces, while the Tangerine Clean is more abrasive for serious scrubbing.
    — Brittany VanDerBill, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 July 2026
Definition of polishes
Verb
  • The setup smooths the music’s flux without sacrificing the flavor of all the places and styles the album spans.
    — Stephen Kearse, Pitchfork, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Finish with the lightweight Ultra Perfect Hair Bonding Oil Serum, which smooths frizz and dry ends with seven botanical oils, including argan, jojoba, and camellia.
    — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of smooths
Verb
  • Erik Shirai cinematically captures the spectacle of strength that is the world of professional sumo wrestling, and shines a rare spotlight on the secrecy of the sport and its formidable competitors.
    — Addie Morfoot, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Hyundai Step inside, and Hyundai’s interior redesign truly shines.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of shines

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Cite this Entry

“Burnishes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/burnishes. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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