POLISHING Synonyms: 70 Similar and Opposite Words

polishing

verb

present participle of polish

as in rubbing

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 finishing

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 polishing However, Capcom has been hard at work polishing it like an authentic Hattori Hanzō sword. — Zackery Cuevas, PC Magazine, 10 June 2026 Parker Kitternan was busy at the console of the church's pipe organ, polishing his musical tribute for the weekend. — Joe Holden, CBS News, 29 June 2026 There’s the difficulty of sintering and polishing the ceramic, and then there’s maintaining the purity of the look. — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 27 May 2026 The deceptively roomy, buttery-smooth leather style features a convertible crossbody strap, metal feet, interior pockets, and an outfit-polishing silhouette. — Olivia Cigliano, InStyle, 13 June 2026 This is a popular hack for many cleaning professionals and can be especially effective at polishing faucets, lifting toothpaste residue, and removing water spots, all without the application of harsh chemicals. — Kate Van Pelt, The Spruce, 29 May 2026 Downstream lithography and ion implantation steps are also more demanding than for silicon, partly because SiC’s hardness complicates polishing and etch uniformity. — Aditya Jadhav, Interesting Engineering, 1 June 2026 Prioritizing Features Over User Intent A common user experience mistake is polishing the surface instead of solving for the moment of intent. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026 Another highlight of my visit was experiencing Bastien's Manicure, an in-spa collaboration with nail-care specialists Bastien Gonzalez, which pairs meticulous cuticle work and a thorough massage with a natural nail-polishing technique that eliminates the need for nail polish entirely. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for polishing

Verb

Plus, extra padding around the heel helps prevent rubbing during long days on your feet.

— Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 4 July 2026
Continue rubbing until the friction lifts the residue from the fabric.

— Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 2 July 2026

Definition of rubbing

Verb

Sakenis blocked two shots after finishing 11th in Division 1 in blocks per game last season.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 7 July 2026
With just four laps remaining, there was every prospect of the race finishing under caution as there wouldn’t be time to reorder the cars and then conduct a restart.

— Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 6 July 2026

Definition of finishing

Verb

Spanx’s Shape Authentic 360 jeans are designed with all-over compression and a smoothing panel at the stomach that makes wearers feel snatched.

— Kaelin Dodge, InStyle, 3 July 2026
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.

— John Hollinger, New York Times, 1 July 2026

Definition of smoothing

Verb

With ultra-slim Republican margins in the House and Senate, lawmakers are having a tough time completing the basics of legislating, let alone passing any controversial bills.

— Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 7 July 2026
Based on current trends, Swift will fall below an altitude of 300 kilometers (186 miles) in October, when its orbit will be too low for Link to have a decent shot at completing the rendezvous due to increasing atmospheric drag.

— Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 6 July 2026

Definition of completing

Verb

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

Definition of buffing

Verb

Never worry about scrubbing away stains from your pets or children again with this powerful carpet and upholstery cleaner.

— BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2026
The best way to apply this paste is either with your scrubbing applicator or a scraper to make sure there's an even application along the grout lines.

— Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 25 June 2026