1
as in rubbing
to make smooth by friction
she learned to buff semiprecious stones in order to make her own jewelry
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in polishing
to make smooth or glossy usually by repeatedly applying surface pressure
the janitor buffed the lobby floor until it shone
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of buffing
Finally, to ensure the doors are working smoothly, Sibley suggests applying high-quality car wax to the aluminum, buffing off the wax with a microfiber towel, and then finishing with a light coat of WD40 or Silicone spray on the rollers.
—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
6 July 2026
Use an applicator pad (often supplied with the wax) and start buffing with a fresh microfiber towel.
—
Bestreviews,
Chicago Tribune,
16 June 2026
For appliances and fixtures such as faucets, start by sprinkling baking soda onto a damp rag, and buffing the stainless steel gently to clean and brighten.
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Alexandra Kelly,
Martha Stewart,
11 May 2026
Ngo coats the nail with a matte primer, which creates a smooth base, before buffing eye shadow across the surface with a nail sponge.
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Annie Blay-Tettey,
Allure,
27 Apr. 2026
Keep one slightly damp microfiber cloth for cleaning and one dry microfiber cloth for buffing.
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Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Sacbee.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Finish by cleaning the area with the vinegar and water mixture and buffing it to a shine.
—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
4 Mar. 2026
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
6 July 2026
Use an applicator pad (often supplied with the wax) and start buffing with a fresh microfiber towel.
—
Bestreviews,
Chicago Tribune,
16 June 2026
For appliances and fixtures such as faucets, start by sprinkling baking soda onto a damp rag, and buffing the stainless steel gently to clean and brighten.
—
Alexandra Kelly,
Martha Stewart,
11 May 2026
Ngo coats the nail with a matte primer, which creates a smooth base, before buffing eye shadow across the surface with a nail sponge.
—
Annie Blay-Tettey,
Allure,
27 Apr. 2026
Keep one slightly damp microfiber cloth for cleaning and one dry microfiber cloth for buffing.
—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Sacbee.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Finish by cleaning the area with the vinegar and water mixture and buffing it to a shine.
—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
4 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for buffing
Verb
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Plus, extra padding around the heel helps prevent rubbing during long days on your feet.
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Continue rubbing until the friction lifts the residue from the fabric.
Verb
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Parker Kitternan was busy at the console of the church's pipe organ, polishing his musical tribute for the weekend.
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The deceptively roomy, buttery-smooth leather style features a convertible crossbody strap, metal feet, interior pockets, and an outfit-polishing silhouette.
Verb
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Their work included sanding the benches along the Naperville Riverwalk.
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During a walk-through for reporters on Thursday, construction noises — particularly sanding and hammering — could be heard.
Verb
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Spanx’s Shape Authentic 360 jeans are designed with all-over compression and a smoothing panel at the stomach that makes wearers feel snatched.
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Thanks to this fit of irrational exuberance, the NBA realized the benefits of cap smoothing and more-friendly contract-extension language in the collective bargaining agreement.
Verb
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The hike includes the park’s east side on the Grasslands Trail, which leads to a Kumeyaay grinding rocks site and the scenic Old Mission Dam overlook.
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Those particles may have been grinding in the joint, causing mechanical wear on the cobalt-chromium femoral head that released cobalt into the surrounding tissue and bloodstream.
Verb
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Those filing the lawsuit alleged that the agreements gave Disney significant leverage over streaming bundle prices, limited competitors' ability to offer lower-cost alternatives and contributed to higher prices for consumers.
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For example, individual filers can receive up to $994, couples filing jointly can receive $1,491, and those providing essential care to SSI recipients can receive up to $498.
Verb
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Companies that act early—by strengthening resilience, investing in capacity, sharpening worker skills, and rethinking supply chains—will be better positioned to capture demand as it shifts.
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The attention to sharpening those skills could be paying off.
Cite this Entry
“Buffing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/buffing. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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