brush 1 of 3

noun

Definition of brushnext
as in encounter
a brief clash between enemies or rivals the two advance parties had a brush, but no one was wounded

Synonyms & Similar Words

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brush

2 of 3

verb (1)

as in to flow
to move or proceed smoothly and readily a pop star brushing past a crowd of autograph seekers

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

brush

3 of 3

verb (2)

as in to kiss
to pass lightly across or touch gently especially in passing spiderwebs brushed her cheek as she walked through the basement

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 brush
Noun
Authorities said flames spread north and northeast, away from Somersett, with astonishing speed through extremely dry grass and brush. — Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026 His main brush with emergency response appears to have been the department’s response to Hurricane Ian, where employees rebuilt a bridge to Pine Island in just three days and repaired massive cracks in the Sanibel Causeway in just 15 days. — Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 2026
Verb
Linens & Hutch deep pocket sheets are durable, wrinkle-resistant and double-brushed for an ultra-soft, cozy feel. — ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026 The primary comes as Trump attempts to brush off a string of primary losses, with his 10th endorsed candidate losing in last week’s elections. — Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for brush
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brush
  1. encounter
  2. flow
  3. kiss
  4. glide
  5. shave
  6. drift
  7. touch
  8. sweep
Noun
  • The bizarre encounter prompted Edelman to share a warning about rabies and what people should do after possible contact with a bat.
    — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
  • On August 31 an encounter between miners and Chafin’s deputies resulted in gunfire, and the Battle of Blair Mountain began.
    — Katie Angell Britannica Editors Aug. 27, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of encounter
Verb
  • For the traditional Telugu Hindu ceremony, their priest translated Sanskrit to English in real time, and the mandap was designed as a circle to represent how life flows into itself for eternity.
    — Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Millions of people across the floodplains of the Indian subcontinent depend on the water that flows downstream.
    — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of flow
Verb
  • The jeweler recently posted up-close photos of the ring on Instagram, as well as a snap of Lee wearing a white veil and kissing Posty’s head while showing off the sparkling rock on her finger to the camera.
    — Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 28 Aug. 2026
  • On a recent day, Ramadhan’s oldest child, not even 3, kissed the twins on the cheeks and recognized a photo of their mother.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of kiss
Verb
  • There are lots of brands that have worked to give us beautiful soft mattes that glide onto lids and don’t feel patchy or heavy like their previous counterparts.
    — Elle Turner, Glamour, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The way Brooks stomped, or glided, or moseyed into the end zone will be forgotten.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of glide
Verb
  • Centering consumer protection In 2020, a ghost candidate scheme that helped unseat Rodriguez relied on paying candidates to run who had no plans to win but could shave votes from Democratic candidates.
    — Romy Ellenbogen Herald, Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 2026
  • At 25, England cricketer Chris Lewis experienced an even more direct consequence after team-mate Devon Malcolm shaved his head during England’s 1994 West Indies tour to raise money for Children in Need.
    — Amelie Claydon, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of shave
Verb
  • Closer to home, Roman will monitor small variations in light from stars near the center of the Milky Way galaxy in order to infer the presence of rogue planets drifting between the stars.
    — Don Figer, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The other was drifting toward akolasia without noticing the drift.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of drift
Verb
  • Her team said they were touched by the idea and are open to continuing the conversation, according to Lee.
    — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Chinese cars are effectively banned in the United States through steep tariffs and regulatory restrictions, but that doesn’t apply to everything China touches in the auto industry.
    — Zachary Hansen, AJC.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of touch
Verb
  • The rocks and melted water suddenly swelled the rivers in the valleys below, causing torrents of water that swept buildings, bridges and earth downstream in Tibet and Nepal.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Following Miller’s and Young’s plea agreement, Missouri lawmakers were divided in their opinions on whether to change the sweeping stand-your-ground laws enacted in 2016.
    — Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of sweep

Phrases Containing brush

Browse Nearby Words

brunts
brush
brush (aside or off)
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Cite this Entry

“Brush.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brush. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on brush

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about brush

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