brush 1 of 3

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)

brush

3 of 3

verb (2)

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
In the sixties, a California law supported by the state’s fire agency advanced the foundational concept of defensible space, a zone of up to a hundred feet where fuels such as brush and trees are strategically trimmed back and managed. Ingfei Chen, New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2025 Public commenters gave a mixed reaction to Bass’ brush with law enforcement — some called on him to resign while others expressed their support for him. Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
Makeup artist Jenna Kristina brushed on a pretty peach blush and delicate lash, and hairstylist Justine Marjan styled Fox's dark hair in long waves. Kara Nesvig, Allure, 27 Oct. 2025 Moments later, a bubble floated from his now-open mouth and brushed his eye, jogging him awake. Sean Williams, Outside, 27 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for brush
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brush
encounter
Noun
  • The series sticks with the timeline of Muschietti's movies rather than King's book, meaning the original Losers Club encounter with It takes place in 1989 rather than 1958, and the final battle in 2016 rather than 1985.
    Megan McCluskey, Time, 27 Oct. 2025
  • Mental health advocates said the encounters before Zettel’s death show multiple points of possible intervention in the days and hours before she was killed.
    Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 27 Oct. 2025

Cite this Entry

“Brush.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brush. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.

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