polished 1 of 2

adjective

ˈpä-lisht How to pronounce polished (audio)
Definition of polishednext
1
as in sleek
having a shiny surface or finish she could see her face reflected in the polished hood of the car

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in cultured
having or showing a taste for the fine arts and gracious living showing the polished manners of a cosmopolitan woman

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

polished

2 of 2

verb

past tense of polish
1
as in smoothed
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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2
as in finished
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 polished
Adjective
Concrete or Polished Cement Concrete and polished cement floors come in a wide range of tones and finishes. — Sophie Flaxman, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 July 2026 Even polished staples are getting warm-weather refresh, with Bermuda shorts and sporty track pants stepping in as versatile alternatives to more traditional styles. — Amanda Le, InStyle, 28 June 2026
Verb
Its grippy outsole offers reliable traction on trails and uneven terrain, while the soft eggnog color looks polished enough to wear around town afterward. — Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 4 July 2026 My picks include travel-friendly outfits that won’t wrinkle in your suitcase, sets that are polished enough to wear to dinner, and easy errand-running duos that take the stress out of getting dressed in the morning—all starting at just $15. — Annie Blackman, InStyle, 22 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for polished
Recent Examples of Synonyms for polished
  1. sleek
  2. cultured
  3. smoothed
  4. finished
  5. glossy
  6. civilized
  7. rubbed
  8. completed
Adjective
  • The sleek outfit borrowed many of the elements that Shields has relied on for years.
    — Jacqueline Tempera, PEOPLE, 4 July 2026
  • This rehearsal dinner look may offer a preview of the glamour still to come, but Gomez's sleek bun has already earned its place among the weekend's standout beauty moments.
    — Marci Robin, Allure, 3 July 2026
Definition of sleek
Adjective
  • Some butter is cultured by adding lactic acid bacteria.
    — Rosemary Trout, Scientific American, 27 June 2026
  • Clean Cultured Marble These same cleaning supplies and methods can be used to clean cultured marble bathroom vanity tops and sinks.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 19 June 2026
Definition of cultured
Verb
  • The hair at the crown is smoothed back but not slick—in fact, there’s a decent amount of volume up top—with virtually no visible part.
    — Marci Robin, Allure, 2 July 2026
  • The standout attachment for me is the large round barrel brush, which smoothed my hair with ease and didn’t tug or snag it along the way.
    — Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 1 July 2026
Definition of smoothed
Verb
  • The controversy only exploded the very next week when it was revealed the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) re-implemented a pilot program that bumped every girl who finished behind the trans athlete up by one spot on the podium.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026
  • Brown helped lead the Celtics to a 56-win season and finished sixth in MVP voting.
    — Tom Ignudo, CBS News, 2 July 2026
Definition of finished
Adjective
  • This pair features round toes, convenient heel tabs, and glossy patent-leather uppers.
    — Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 3 July 2026
  • His brow is porcelain-smooth and suffused with light, his locks glossy and curled, his nose straight and regular.
    — Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 3 July 2026
Definition of glossy
Adjective
  • Her generation was one of thinkers, politically committed to defining how individuals were to be shaped as citizens of a civilized nation.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 July 2026
  • In Season 3, the team enters Dinopia, a civilized dinosaur world, to face threats endangering both worlds through friendship, courage, and teamwork.
    — Kevin Giraud, Variety, 24 June 2026
Definition of civilized
Verb
  • Brown alleged Wilhelmy rubbed her stomach, touched her shoulders and spanked her despite objections.
    — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 27 June 2026
  • Flores says this helps prevent dirt and debris from being rubbed into and scratching the surface during the cleaning process.
    — Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 27 June 2026
Definition of rubbed
Verb
  • Post-production on the series, a collaboration between Blackstone Publishing and Otherworld Media, which is behind the cinematic sound design for the audio play, was completed in January 2026.
    — Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 2 July 2026
  • Next to the pitch were tents artificially heated to a minimum of 95 degrees Fahrenheit, where players completed fitness tests on exercise bikes while staff measured their performance.
    — Nancy Walecki, The Atlantic, 2 July 2026
Definition of completed

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Cite this Entry

“Polished.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/polished. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on polished

Nglish: Translation of polished for Spanish Speakers

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