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

Everything has been given the full 4K restoration treatment; even Making ‘The Shining,’ the legendary lo-fi 1980 documentary that Stanley’s daughter, Vivian Kubrick, shot on the set of his Stephen King adaptation, gets a spit-and-polish upgrade. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2026 This cropped take from Yousify has a boxy silhouette that feels fresh and a high funnel neck that adds a little polish without trying too hard. — Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 21 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

In her new role, Danielle will help celebrate her aunt's life and accomplishments while offering a personal perspective on the woman behind the music, according to a press release announcing the appointment.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
But even with their growing lists of accomplishments, all three designers acknowledge that running an independent label has its challenges.

— Vogue, Vogue, 22 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

The discovery was made Wednesday in the Hickory Ridge area of east Charlotte, and responding officers report a man drenched in sweat tried to rub them down with garlic and bite them, according to an affidavit.

— Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 23 Oct. 2026
True, but there are other issues that rubbed me the wrong way (sorry).

— Valerie Monroe, Allure, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of rub

Verb

All broadcast pairings eventually end, but for Troy Aikman and Joe Buck to finish like this is both needless, and dirty.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Oct. 2026
The results were better on Monday, as the Heat’s starting unit finished as a plus-three in 12 minutes together.

— Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of finish

Noun

Playfulness keeps the level of refinement from becoming precious.

— David Foxley, Architectural Digest, 21 Oct. 2026
More refinement of tech During a continuous 58-day trial, the system treated water containing a cocktail of six different regulatory-priority PFAS compounds.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 19 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

But so will filters offering subtle beautification effects — such as smoothing skin tone or adding a slight eye glow.

— Chloe Veltman, NPR, 25 Oct. 2026
Together, these efforts can help smooth the often difficult path from the first unexplained symptoms to an accurate diagnosis, while reducing the risk of both misdiagnosis and unnecessary delays.

— Bruce Bebo, STAT, 24 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