burnish
verb (used with object)
to polish (a surface) by friction.
was burnishing
-
past progressiveof burnish.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
It was late 2001 and Mr. Giuliani, despite having withdrawn from his Senate race against Hillary Clinton the year before, was burnishing his national image after his widely applauded handling of 9/11.
From New York Times ● Feb. 14, 2019
It worked to their mutual benefit: Petraeus was building ties to a prominent Democratic voice in the Senate; Clinton was burnishing her image as a friend of the troops.
From New York Times ● Apr. 21, 2016
Kagame was burnishing the image of the entire billion-dollar aid industry.
From New York Times ● Sep. 4, 2013
The sun was burnishing her hair into an aura, and the clear light shone searchingly on the fresh bloom of her cheek, the violet of her eyes and the crimson of her lips—revealing no flaw.
From A Pagan of the Hills by Buck, Charles Neville
“Harry,” he said to the worthy old servant, who, wash-leather in hand, was burnishing the plate with all the solemnity of one engaged in some very serious and responsible undertaking, “what do you think?”
From Amos Huntingdon by Wilson, Theodore P.
