POLISH Synonyms: 154 Similar and Opposite Words

polish 1 of 2

noun

Definition of polish

as in accomplishment

a high level of taste and enlightenment as a result of extensive intellectual training and exposure to the arts acquired a great deal of polish during his year abroad

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in gleam

brightness created by light reflected from a surface buffed the silver plate to a high polish

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polish

2 of 2

verb

ˈpä-lish

as in to rub

to make smooth or glossy usually by repeatedly applying surface pressure you'll need to polish your shoes with a clean rag before the performance

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to finish

to bring (something) to a state where nothing remains to be done once you polish the article a bit, it'll be ready to submit

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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 polish

Noun

Executed in a mixture of shoe polish and alcohol, the mural features the swirling, graphic forms and figures that would soon become hallmarks of his work. — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 13 Oct. 2026 Serums suit frizz, dullness, fine-to-medium hair, regular heat styling and immediate polish. — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2026

Verb

These natural diamonds are often cloudy and oddly shaped, and lose about 25% of their weight as they're cut and polished into what a jeweler would sell, according to Nathan Renfro, senior manager at the Gemological Institute of America. — Laura Turbay, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026 There may have been a time when hosting a holiday dinner meant pulling out every platter, polishing the silver, and making sure there were enough wine glasses for a small army. — Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for polish

Recent Examples of Synonyms for polish

Noun

No North American sports franchise can claim such an accomplishment since the Shaq- and Kobe Bryant-led Lakers from 2000 to 2002.

— Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
And yet, in Wembanyama’s eyes — and those of his teammates — those accomplishments amount to little more than a prelude.

— Jeff McDonald, San Antonio Express-News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of accomplishment

Noun

The presence of the K-pop star and Coppolla, who was also the star of a Cartier Cinema Club session staged in the wake of the high jewelry reveal, gave a global gleam to the moment.

— Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 18 Oct. 2026
Many of us were not a gleam in our parents’ eyes when Monterey Pop took place.

— David Fear, Rolling Stone, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of gleam

Verb

Separating small equipment, personal accessories, and emergency supplies can also help reduce clutter and prevent belongings from rubbing against one another.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 16 Oct. 2026
Just before dusk, four or five does walked under the tree, and then a four-point buck followed, stopping beneath me to rub his antlers on a bush.

— Al Dawson, Outdoor Life, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of rub

Verb

Founder Marty Odlin told me the company had not finished developing sensors and methods to reliably measure key properties such as pH and dissolved inorganic carbon.

— Alec Luhn, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
The two sides reworked Norvell’s deal in December 2024 after the Seminoles finished 2-10 in the program’s worst season in 50 years.

— Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of finish

Noun

The partners describe a process of testing and refinement that continues through performance validation and industrial production.

— Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
Here, next to the crystal-clear waters of Lake Keowee in Sunset, South Carolina, adventure and refinement exist in effortless harmony.

— Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of refinement

Noun

And because water and most other liquids can’t persist on a planet’s surface without an insulating blanket of air, seeing such a glint could signal the presence of an atmosphere as well.

— Phil Plait, Scientific American, 2 Oct. 2026
Now that the greige days are finally behind us, a glint of sparkle truly delights.

— Arden Fanning Andrews, Vogue, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of glint

Verb

All of this pillow talk smooths Kate’s path to selling Hal on her idea of extracting the bodies from the Russian sub.

— Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2026
Both products contain moisturizing ingredients like squalane and shea butter, plus vitamin E to smooth signs of aging.

— Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of smooth

Verb

Pair it with the matching Cherry Check toaster and flameless dinner candles to complete the look from the kitchen to the dining room—after all, each piece is on clearance.

— Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 21 Oct. 2026
The team also completed a critical-design review, another milestone in preparing the technology for delivery.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026