burnish
verb (used with object)
to polish (a surface) by friction.
burnishing
-
present participleof burnish.present participle
A verb form that is used in progressive verb constructions and may also function as a modifier or a gerund.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He lost the use of his right hand after a bombing in 1981, burnishing his credentials as a Shia revolutionary who has known sacrifice.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 8, 2026
And all were endorsed by Zohran Mamdani, the city’s Democratic Socialist mayor, burnishing his kingmaker bona fides.
From Slate ● Jun. 24, 2026
He rose through the ranks, burnishing his credentials by leading a campaign battling an ethnic rebel insurrection around crucial trade crossings with China.
From Barron's ● Dec. 23, 2025
In a story last year about turning 40, Riley told the Los Angeles Times that he has never been fixated on burnishing his personal legacy.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 21, 2024
The light shifted during the afternoon and cascaded through the clean windows, burnishing the room with gold.
From "The Marvels" by Brian Selznick
