SANDING Synonyms: 25 Similar and Opposite Words

sanding

verb

present participle of sand

as in rubbing

to make smooth by friction painstakingly sanded down the wooden floors of the old house

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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 sanding Before planting any hibiscus seeds, start by nicking or sanding the seeds using fine-grade sandpaper or the tip of a knife. — Shelby Vittek, The Spruce, 15 Aug. 2026 The rooms All Volcanoes lodges are hand-built and use no machinery (apart from sanding) by their team of builders, carpenters, welders, and fundi/artisans, from the papyrus roof to the bedside lamps. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 July 2026 Prep the Wood Prep the wood for stain by stripping and sanding any existing paint, coating, or sealant that could hinder the stain’s penetration. — Kamron Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 July 2026 Roughly a month before Kirk’s killing, Twiggs said Robinson asked for a Dremel, a tool used for sanding or grinding, to engrave bullets for an upcoming family hunting trip. — Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 11 July 2026 Rather than using a standard stonewash, TacticalGeek says the blade is hand-finished with sanding and polishing steps that refine the surface from coarse to fine, while the groove area uses EDM machining for extra texture and visual depth. — New Atlas, 9 July 2026 Their work included sanding the benches along the Naperville Riverwalk. — Evgenia Anastasakos, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2026 During a walk-through for reporters on Thursday, construction noises — particularly sanding and hammering — could be heard. — ABC News, 11 June 2026 Then sanding, priming, spraying back at my own shop to create numerous avatars of her including a male trixter hero version named the ‘Frozen Charlatan’ who is the chrome metallic alter ego. — Chris Willman, Variety, 9 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sanding

Verb

For instance, Qidi had to include a piece of Velcro to prevent the Polar Cooler tube from rubbing against the glass surface inside the top cover.

— Michael Lydick, PC Magazine, 15 Aug. 2026
Republicans are rubbing their hands in glee at the neocommunist advance in their opposing party.

— Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of rubbing

Verb

For many job seekers, writing another version of a resume or polishing a LinkedIn profile isn't the hard part.

— Zulekha Nathoo, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2026
Under this law, employers are required to take steps to protect workers, such as providing protective respirators and using water to suppress dust, when employees are cutting, grinding or polishing slabs.

— Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of polishing

Verb

The lineup has expanded beyond its viral multi-balm, too, with lightweight SPF sticks and even a mess-minimizing grinding cleansing balm.

— Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 15 Aug. 2026
Buy The stainless-steel drain of the Composer One garbage disposal seals to dampen sound while grinding food.

— Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of grinding

Verb

For the overtime tax break, eligible workers can deduct a portion — up to $12,500 for single tax filers or $25,000 for married couples filing jointly — of qualifying overtime on their tax return.

— Sarah Agostino, CNBC, 18 Aug. 2026
The public hearing was held amid some backlash against the rollout, which has sparked confusion and has had some homeowners filing legal challenges.

— Jennifer Bisram, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of filing

Verb

How to Remove Scratches on Stainless Steel Gentleness is key when buffing out light scratches on stainless steel appliances.

— Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 15 Aug. 2026
Start by pushing back your cuticles, lightly buffing your nails, and filing the tips for a nice and tidy canvas.

— Kara Jillian Brown, InStyle, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of buffing

Verb

The Virgo Moon moves through your 3rd House of Communication, sharpening your attention to words, timing, errands, and local conversations.

— Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 14 Aug. 2026
Summary Boeing is transferring Wisk Aero, Insitu, and SkyGrid to Archer Aviation, a strategic move aimed at sharpening its focus on core commercial and defense aircraft production amidst a record $715 billion backlog.

— Alex Krutz, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of sharpening

Browse Nearby Words

sandglasses

sanding

sandpaper

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“Sanding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sanding. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of sanding

verb

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