as in polished
having a shiny surface or finish
bright burnished metal is used extensively in that boutique's decor
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in rubbed
to make smooth or glossy usually by repeatedly applying surface pressure
burnished the floor of the ballroom to a soft luster
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of burnished
Calin Van Paris,
InStyle,
17 June 2026
Unlike traditional cheesecake, which is baked low and slow in a water bath for a smooth, dense finish, Basque cheesecake embraces rustic charm with a burnished top, cracks and all.
—
Amisha Gurbani,
San Francisco Chronicle,
10 Apr. 2026
Instead of needing to overcome the one-time stigma of tiny Gonzaga, Lloyd enjoyed a burnished reputation, having spent so much time with inarguably one of the standard bearers of the sport.
—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
4 Apr. 2026
In contrast, with a GLP-1, people might be more inclined to take them because of their burnished reputation.
—
Ct Jones,
Rolling Stone,
27 Mar. 2026
Stock up on lumbar and throw pillows with geometric motifs and flannel and denim bedding, burnished brass, and suede elements.
—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
9 Mar. 2026
His voice sounds burnished and vital, never tired.
—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
20 Feb. 2026
Decked with cashmere curtains and burnished-leather bed frames, the guest rooms offer breathtaking mountain views and Western authenticity.
—
Jessica Chapel,
Condé Nast Traveler,
6 Feb. 2026
Warmer, more distinctive finishes such as burnished brass, bronze, and mixed materials are replacing matte black.
—
Helena Madden,
Martha Stewart,
6 Feb. 2026
semafor.com,
19 June 2026
Ted Lasso and The Studio have also burnished the tech giant’s Emmy trophy shelf, taking home Best Comedy Series trophies.
—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
7 June 2026
The Tigers have only burnished their resume with impressive back-to-back playoff victories.
—
Martin Henderson,
Oc Register,
20 May 2026
The dark, burnished stew smelled faintly sweet.
—
Restaurant Critic,
Houston Chronicle,
6 May 2026
The war has widely been viewed has having burnished Beijing’s global standing, positioning China as a cornerstone of stability.
—
Sylvie Zhuang,
CNN Money,
4 May 2026
Wilson burnished his Hall of Fame resume with the Seattle Seahawks.
—
Andrew Marchand,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
Pakistan’s credentials have been burnished, too.
—
Chas Newkey-Burden,
TheWeek,
9 Apr. 2026
Millions of Monarchs hang from the trees like frostbitten leaves the underside of their wings exposed, burnished, and bronzed.
—
Literary Hub,
3 Mar. 2026
Adjective
The burnished shade is chic and head-turning, an ideal choice for those who prefer to stand out— seemingly without any effort.
—
Calin Van Paris,
InStyle,
17 June 2026
Unlike traditional cheesecake, which is baked low and slow in a water bath for a smooth, dense finish, Basque cheesecake embraces rustic charm with a burnished top, cracks and all.
—
Amisha Gurbani,
San Francisco Chronicle,
10 Apr. 2026
Instead of needing to overcome the one-time stigma of tiny Gonzaga, Lloyd enjoyed a burnished reputation, having spent so much time with inarguably one of the standard bearers of the sport.
—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
4 Apr. 2026
In contrast, with a GLP-1, people might be more inclined to take them because of their burnished reputation.
—
Ct Jones,
Rolling Stone,
27 Mar. 2026
Stock up on lumbar and throw pillows with geometric motifs and flannel and denim bedding, burnished brass, and suede elements.
—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
9 Mar. 2026
His voice sounds burnished and vital, never tired.
—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
20 Feb. 2026
Decked with cashmere curtains and burnished-leather bed frames, the guest rooms offer breathtaking mountain views and Western authenticity.
—
Jessica Chapel,
Condé Nast Traveler,
6 Feb. 2026
Warmer, more distinctive finishes such as burnished brass, bronze, and mixed materials are replacing matte black.
—
Helena Madden,
Martha Stewart,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
Ruto has burnished his ties with Western leaders.
—
semafor.com,
19 June 2026
Ted Lasso and The Studio have also burnished the tech giant’s Emmy trophy shelf, taking home Best Comedy Series trophies.
—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
7 June 2026
The Tigers have only burnished their resume with impressive back-to-back playoff victories.
—
Martin Henderson,
Oc Register,
20 May 2026
The dark, burnished stew smelled faintly sweet.
—
Restaurant Critic,
Houston Chronicle,
6 May 2026
The war has widely been viewed has having burnished Beijing’s global standing, positioning China as a cornerstone of stability.
—
Sylvie Zhuang,
CNN Money,
4 May 2026
Wilson burnished his Hall of Fame resume with the Seattle Seahawks.
—
Andrew Marchand,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
Pakistan’s credentials have been burnished, too.
—
Chas Newkey-Burden,
TheWeek,
9 Apr. 2026
Millions of Monarchs hang from the trees like frostbitten leaves the underside of their wings exposed, burnished, and bronzed.
—
Literary Hub,
3 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for burnished
Adjective
-
Even polished staples are getting warm-weather refresh, with Bermuda shorts and sporty track pants stepping in as versatile alternatives to more traditional styles.
-
Nothing about the place feels polished.
Verb
-
But did Spilotro go about life as an upstanding model citizen who rubbed elbows with the Vegas elite, while quietly and stealthily protecting the Mafia's financial interests in Vegas casinos?
-
With its Jewish delis, atmospheric dive bars, and underground music scene, the Mile End neighborhood minted the defining Montreal cool of the indie aughts—a place where cardiganed Italian grandmas rubbed shoulders with tattooed creatives.
Adjective
-
Upon entering, guests are treated to an entry foyer with a glistening floor of Brazilian cherry offset by a thin maple inlay.
-
The streets lead to a pale-sand public beach with a fishing pier, a charming park, and glistening views of the delicate and pristine Gulf Islands.
Verb
-
This, and other quirks of pronunciation or vocabulary, are easy tells when accents have otherwise smoothed into plain old American and traditional clothing has been shed in favor of jeans and T-shirts.
-
Inside the cage was a mouse—the mouse that Renova had significantly smoothed—eliciting a few gasps from nearby assistants.
Adjective
-
The moving-room intro In classic Jackass movie tradition, Best and Last opens with an elaborate, glossy introduction that coincides with the opening credits.
-
Its glossy fabric and breezy silhouette work for countless occasions — plus, its luxe vibe dresses up outfits without a thought.
Verb
-
Add chicken, pineapple, pecans, celery, and scallions; fold until evenly coated.
-
Dust coated coastal communities.
Adjective
-
Perched on the edge of a rocky plateau above the village, its sleek, ultra-modern rooms open onto balconies with views of the rooftops below and the Matterhorn beyond.
-
Here, this guest elevates the billowy style with kitten heels, a simple tee, a flannel tied around the waist, sleek sunnies, and an oversized bag.
Adjective
-
Under his meticulous care, the gleaming red sports car has been souped up to generate 400-horsepower turbo performance, but retains much of the original features and feel.
-
The trailer features stunning images of the massive gleaming white cube that was the centerpiece of the staging and Instagram-worthy shots of the pryo and special effects that made the tour a must-see for fans.
Cite this Entry
“Burnished.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/burnished. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
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