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 Giuliani, despite having withdrawn from his Senate race against Hillary Clinton the year before, was burnishing his national image after his widely applauded handling of 9/11.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
Feelan, an Irishman with a brogue that could be cut with a knife, laid down the sword which he was burnishing and glanced at the non-com.
From The Red Horizon by Patrick MacGill
The sun was burnishing the sea, and she watched Mousehole luggers putting out and dancing away through the gold.
From Lying Prophets by Eden Phillpotts
