Burnish
hardPositive toneBUR-nish
verb
Definition
to polish; to enhance or make more impressive
Memory hook
BURNish: rub so hard it almost BURNS, leaving the metal gleaming and the reputation polished.
Word roots
Learning roots unlocks whole word families. Study common GRE root words.
Examples
“The campaign was designed to burnish the candidate's image as a reformer.”
“He burnished the silver until it caught the candlelight.”
Test yourself
Fill in the blank with the right word:
“The campaign was designed to ______ the candidate's image as a reformer.”
Show answer
burnish
Categories
GRE Tip
Burnish is a hard-difficulty GRE word. On the GRE, you might see it paired with synonyms like "polish" or "shine" in Sentence Equivalence questions. Look for contrast clues (however, despite, although) that signal the opposite meaning. Words like "tarnish".
Related GRE Words
ameliorate
To make something bad or unsatisfactory better
complement
Something that completes or makes perfect; to complete or enhance
alleviate
To make suffering, deficiency, or a problem less severe
eminent
Famous and respected within a particular field; outstanding
enhance
to increase or improve in value, quality, or extent
mitigate
To make less severe, serious, or painful
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