Burnish

v.capable, hopefulprofessional

Meaning 1

To polish a surface until it becomes smooth and shining.

Reach for it when describing physical polishing by rubbing

The conservator used agate to burnish the gold leaf.

everyday
polish
rubbing creates a smooth reflective finish
not when Polish can use chemicals or remove material without the pressure implied by burnish.
everyday
shine
the visible glossy result matters more than the method
not when Shine can involve cleaning or coating and need not smooth the material.
professional
buff
a wheel or cloth produces a shine on a surface
not when Buff is informal as a verb and may remove scratches rather than compress the surface.
professional
smooth
roughness is reduced without requiring gloss
not when Smooth leaves out the shine that burnishing normally creates.

To improve the public impression or recognized quality of something.

Reach for it when describing deliberate enhancement of reputation or credentials

Years of dependable service helped burnish the cooperative's reputation.

everyday
improve
plain language should avoid a polishing metaphor
not when Improve may change real performance rather than public perception.
professional
enhance
general improvement to standing or appeal is intended
not when Enhance leaves unclear whether substance or image changed.
professional
strengthen
evidence makes a reputation or case more credible
not when Strengthen suggests added support, not added luster.
formal
refine
careful adjustment makes the work or image more polished
not when Refine implies subtle development and may not increase public esteem.

burnish a surface
The final tool will burnish a surface without cutting it.
burnish a reputation
Transparent repairs can burnish a reputation more than advertising.
carefully burnish
The apprentice will carefully burnish the edge after the adhesive cures.

The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.