POLISHING Synonyms: 70 Similar and Opposite Words

polishing

verb

present participle of polish

as in rubbing

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in finishing

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

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 polishing 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 The Duchess of Edinburgh even got hands-on experience shaping and polishing a quartz gemstone. — Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2026 Before Bay Area readers start polishing their debate trophies, remember these studies are conversation starters, not final verdicts. — James Ward, USA Today, 15 Sep. 2026 Running a raw, unedited Q&A shows the reality of the technology without a corporate PR team polishing the rough edges or hiding the structural failures. — New Atlas, 4 Sep. 2026 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 Sangare is not the finished product, but Brentford’s track record of finding and polishing young players with high potential casts this move in a promising light. — Cerys Jones, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026 Born into a Krymchak Jewish family in Haifa and raised poor in Brownsville, Brooklyn, Bakshi entered the animation industry at just 18, polishing dirt from cels at Terrytoons. — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 14 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for polishing

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
After two consecutive championships and more than a decade of rubbing the rest of Major League Baseball’s noses in their extravagant wealth, the Los Angeles Dodgers were not going to be missed.

— Mike Finger, San Antonio Express-News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of rubbing

Verb

In 2024 the Dolphins began that season 2-6 before finishing out the year 6-3.

— Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026
The franchise man continues to build a strong rapport with his receivers, finishing 23-of-41 for 276 yards with a touchdown pass to Matthew Golden, who led the game with 104 yards on six grabs.

— Scott Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of finishing

Verb

Wireless, shaping and smoothing bra styles and underwear packs are also available.

— ABC News, ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026
The brand has also become a go-to for figure-flattering wardrobe staples that combine timeless designs and smoothing, comfortable fabrics that work with you rather than against you.

— Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of smoothing

Verb

China has launched 258 Qianfan satellites over a series of missions since 2024, on the way to completing an initial constellation of 1,296 satellites, with longer-term ambitions of more than 15,000.

— Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 19 Oct. 2026
Reno, twice the Ivy Player of the Week already this season, misfired on more passes than not this time, completing 15 of 38 for 105 yards, two second-half touchdowns, and one interception.

— Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of completing

Verb

If the copper is heavily tarnished, let the toothpaste’s active ingredients work on the patina for ten minutes or so before buffing.

— Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 6 Sep. 2026
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

Definition of buffing

Verb

The company dispensed with its DEI disclosures to investors, scrubbing any references to goals and resources aimed at boosting diversity at the company.

— Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 12 Oct. 2026
Let everything sit on your toilet bowl for a while before scrubbing gently and finally flushing your toilet.

— Asia London Palomba, The Spruce, 27 Sep. 2026