VARNISHES Synonyms: 67 Similar and Opposite Words

varnishes 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of varnish

as in polishes

to cover (something) with varnish He varnished the table.

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

varnishes

2 of 2

noun

plural of varnish

as in glosses

Related Words

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for varnishes

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

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

Bring to a boil, stirring constantly until mixture coats the back of a spoon, about 1 minute.

— Martha Stewart, Martha Stewart, 9 Oct. 2026
The plush, balm-meets-mask formula coats lips in a comforting layer that keeps moisture from escaping overnight, with hyaluronic acid, minerals, and antioxidant-rich Berry Mix Complex helping soften dry, flaky skin.

— Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of coats

Noun

During the Soviet era, these monumental decorative panels appeared at metro stations, sports stadiums, school facades, and on the sides of residential blocks.

— Yulia Denisyuk, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Oct. 2026
Isaias peeled off hotel and condominium rooftops and facades along the Florida Panhandle before charging north Saturday, dishing out torrential rains and the threat of flash floods and tornadoes across the Southeast.

— Emilie Megnien, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of facades

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

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.

Browse Nearby Words

varnished

varnishes

varnishing

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

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

Copy Citation

Synonyms of varnishes

verb

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

jilt

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes