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
The clip begins with Natalia using a thin makeup brush to outline Erling’s profile on her eyelid before taking a lighter shade to fill in his blonde hair, intricate strands and highlights included. — Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 30 July 2026 The incident was not Joseph Henrichsen’s first brush with the law. — Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 30 July 2026
Verb
Advertisement That makes brushing about much more than fresh breath. — Angela Haupt, Time, 27 July 2026 Ticks, unlike mosquitoes, do not actively seek out specific people but instead wait for a host to brush past them. — Faith Wakefield, USA Today, 27 July 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
  • Grayson was accompanied by another deputy who had his body camera switched on throughout the encounter.
    — Jerry Nowicki, CBS News, 31 July 2026
  • Among other notable encounters, William can be seen sharing a ride on an iconic London bus with his friend Robert Irwin to attend the Earthshot Prize Impact Assembly.
    — Mathilde Engelmann, Vanity Fair, 30 July 2026
Definition of encounter
Verb
  • Given how much capital is flowing into AI, what is the sustainable business model?
    — Alyson Shontell, Fortune, 25 July 2026
  • In all the time since, the water flowed through that line under the many incarnations of the Sunset Strip, feeding smaller pipes that quenched a growing metropolis that expanded from about 500,000 people to 4 million.
    — Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 25 July 2026
Definition of flow
Verb
  • Jericho hit Ciampa with the hockey stick and kissed the Youppi the plush toy to a huge pop.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
  • The day before, he was accused of kissing and fondling a 15-year-old girl who was on the team, KTUL reported.
    — Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 26 July 2026
Definition of kiss
Verb
  • The countless repetitions give you the most beautiful art form where swans glide, fairies dance and every year a giant nutcracker appears.
    — Chrissie Leong, Los Angeles Times, 31 July 2026
  • And there was Nacua, gliding underneath the pass and taking it to the end zone to a roar of cheers.
    — Nate Atkins, New York Times, 30 July 2026
Definition of glide
Verb
  • Company demo footage also shows the reverse gear doubling as a cleanup tool, letting the mower retrace a path to shave down long grass more than twice its own height.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 22 July 2026
  • That pattern is your case for a warranty claim — not a reason to shave more aggressively.
    — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 22 July 2026
Definition of shave
Verb
  • If its multiple drifts back to 30 over the next five years, Apple will need a 5% annual push from a combination of repurchases and earnings expansion just to stay even, to maintain its share price at current levels.
    — Shawn Tully, Fortune, 30 July 2026
  • Mortgage rates are also drifting higher amid concerns that fighting in the Middle East could accelerate inflation, as shipping disruptions in the region push up oil and fuel prices.
    — Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 30 July 2026
Definition of drift
Verb
  • Others stood still, hoping that patience would bring a butterfly close enough to touch.
    — Sophia Buonpane, Kansas City Star, 1 Aug. 2026
  • As the agent got out and struggled to arrest Stanley, Morrow approached and touched the arresting agent’s shoulder, video shows.
    — Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of touch
Verb
  • Other air styler round brushes leave my fine hair looking more wind-swept than blown-out, with a ton of fly-aways.
    — Gina Vaynshteyn, StyleCaster, 31 July 2026
  • Water overflowed from a large retention pond and swept Kearns away.
    — Tara Lynch, CBS News, 31 July 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 1 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on brush

Nglish: Translation of brush for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about brush

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