POLISHES Synonyms: 72 Similar and Opposite Words

polishes

verb

present tense third-person singular of polish

as in rubs

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in finishes

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 polishes 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 Through processing that polishes the individual wool fibers, the technology allows wool to have more luster, a softer hand feel, drape and elastic recovery. — Sarah Jones, Footwear News, 22 June 2026 Expect to see even tinier dots and minuscule French tips atop jelly polishes in summery shades like fuchsia and blood orange. — Annie Blay-Tettey, Allure, 4 June 2026 Sheer jelly polishes create a seamless ombré effect. — Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 2 June 2026 From there, Sharrow thins down its propeller to precise specification with a five-axis CNC machine and polishes it. — New Atlas, 10 Apr. 2026 Their bestselling Regenerating Cleanser gently polishes away impurities and dullness to reveal a healthy-looking, radiant glow, clinically proven to make skin look brighter, smoother, more hydrated and pores look smaller. — Tory Johnson, ABC News, 7 Apr. 2026 The process polishes the gentle bonhomie that promises to transform even the smallest silences into celebrations. — Archie Forde, Pitchfork, 6 Mar. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for 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

Once the process finishes, the malware re-enables the Store, reducing the chances that the phone owner will notice anything unusual.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Cooper does remain under investigation by the NFL as well, and he could be suspended once the league finishes its review.

— Jack Lowenstein, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of finishes

Verb

Massaging it into the scalp promotes growth (stimulating blood flow to the area is how the magic happens), while applying it through the lengths reduces breakage and smoothes each strand for a silky, frizz-free finish.

— Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 23 Oct. 2026
All of this pillow talk smooths Kate’s path to selling Hal on her idea of extracting the bodies from the Russian sub.

— Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of smooths

Verb

This adds 280 miles (386 km) of WLTP range in 10 minutes and completes a 10-to-80% charge in 12 minutes.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 Oct. 2026
Commercial operations will begin once STUK completes its pending pre-operational inspection on a date yet to be determined.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of completes

Verb

Also, if one coats the surface of a daguerreotype with a layer of gold, the colors shift more to the red side of the spectrum.

— Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 27 Oct. 2026
Mixing the flour with cold butter first coats the flour’s proteins, impeding the interaction between the water and the flour and reducing gluten development.

— Melissa Weller, Bon Appetit Magazine, 21 Oct. 2026