The present invention provides compositions and methods for polishing a molybdenum metal-containing surface. A polishing composition (slurry) described herein comprises an abrasive concentration of an inorganic particulate abrasive material (e.g., alumina or silica) suspended in an acidic aqueous medium containing a water soluble surface active material and an oxidizing agent. The surface active material is selected based on the zeta potential of the particulate abrasive, such that when the abrasive has a positive zeta potential, the surface active material comprises a cationic material, and when the particulate abrasive has a negative zeta potential, the surface active material comprises an anionic material, a non-ionic material, or a combination thereof.