varnish 1 of 2

verb

Definition of varnishnext
as in to polish
to cover (something) with varnish He varnished the table.

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Dissimilar Words

varnish

2 of 2

noun

as in gloss

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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 varnish
Verb
Refinish the door with stain or varnish that matches the rest of the kitchen cabinet doors. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 11 Jan. 2026 The coarsest grades of steel wool can strip paint or varnish and remove rust from surfaces. — Abby Wolner, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 May 2025
Noun
To protect the delicate tissue from getting wet or being torn, a matte varnish was applied. — Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 29 June 2026 The glass is inscribed—in lead wire, lead foil, oil, varnish, and dust—with diagrammatic imagery evoking machinery. — Sebastian Smee, The Atlantic, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for varnish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for varnish
  1. polish
  2. gloss
  3. rub
  4. veneer
  5. smooth
  6. camouflage
  7. coat
  8. glaze
Verb
  • Each refillable case secures with a satisfying magnetic closure, and is polished with an alabaster finish.
    — Kiana Murden, Vogue, 6 Oct. 2026
  • These natural diamonds are often cloudy and oddly shaped, and lose about 25% of their weight as they're cut and polished into what a jeweler would sell, according to Nathan Renfro, senior manager at the Gemological Institute of America.
    — LAURA TURBAY, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of polish
Noun
  • Gersting also thought that copper, the color that ruled last fall, will continue its reign, as will low-maintenance glosses.
    — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2026
  • But whether those are different bets or marketing gloss for the same big bet is less clear to me.
    — Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of gloss
Verb
  • September 23 – October 22 Money and social plans could rub each other the wrong way today.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Libra September 23 – October 22 Money and social plans could rub each other the wrong way today.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of rub
Noun
  • Healthy teeth are ground down to nubs to make room for veneers.
    — Danielle Pergament, Allure, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Daley also warns buyers to look out for furniture with veneers which often peel or chip off and can’t be repaired.
    — Felicia Feaster, Martha Stewart, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of veneer
Verb
  • The batteries smooth the load and help optimize fuel consumption.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 4 Oct. 2026
  • The project is predicated on the theme that the title suggests — love of self, love of others, love for her daughter Hazel — while embracing a swath of styles spanning quiet storm to smooth, finger-snapped R&B.
    — Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of smooth
Noun
  • Another showed Lee on the floor of a gym in chocolate-chip camouflage pants, doing a situp while a German shepherd holds down his feet.
    — Eamon Javers, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Many scientists thought those stripes were an example of disruptive camouflage, combining counter-shading with blending into the background.
    — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of camouflage
Verb
  • Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing Oil Have cleansing oils left your skin feeling coated in a greasy film?
    — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The baits are around the size of a matchbox and coated with fishmeal to attract raccoons.
    — Eva Flowe October 7, Charlotte Observer, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of coat
Verb
  • Eyes glaze over when the subject strays too far from Memeworld.
    — Nick H. Penniman, Rolling Stone, 15 July 2026
  • Working with 1 cookie at a time, spread 1 tablespoon vanilla glaze over half of underside of cookie.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 June 2026
Definition of glaze

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Cite this Entry

“Varnish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/varnish. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on varnish

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about varnish

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