as in flowing
to move or proceed smoothly and readily
a pop star brushing past a crowd of autograph seekers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in kissing
to pass lightly across or touch gently especially in passing
spiderwebs brushed her cheek as she walked through the basement
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 brushing
Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
And in a way that feels fitting, Hart is brushing it off while inching closer to a statistical territory few players — even the greatest shooters — have ever touched.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 23 Mar. 2026
Cabott suggests brushing with Sheila Stotts brushes, which are her favorite, and concludes that the combination of revamping your hair care routine products and tools is a great way to ensure healthy hair sans split ends.
—Danielle Sinay, Glamour, 23 Mar. 2026
Turning off the tap while brushing your teeth can save more than 4 gallons of water.
—Claire Osborn, Austin American Statesman, 17 Mar. 2026
This includes activities like brushing your hair, reaching for objects on shelves or playing certain sports.
—NBC news, 11 Mar. 2026
After each dangerous sequence, however, the singer is shown casually brushing himself off and returning to set, while the stunt performers who executed the risky scenes appear bruised and dusty as filming wraps.
—ABC News, 7 Mar. 2026
Freeny absorbed the impact like Marvin Hagler, hardly flinching and brushing it off.
—Haley Sawyer, Oc Register, 6 Mar. 2026
The project will fully rebuild Touhy Avenue between Elmhurst and Mount Prospect roads in Elk Grove Village, unincorporated Elk Grove Township, and Des Plaines, and brushing against the northern edge of Chicago's O'Hare International Airport.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026
Verb
Another admitted to brushing crumbs into the gap between the stove and counter as a child—only to be caught and made to pull the appliance out and deep-clean the entire area.
—Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
And in a way that feels fitting, Hart is brushing it off while inching closer to a statistical territory few players — even the greatest shooters — have ever touched.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 23 Mar. 2026
Cabott suggests brushing with Sheila Stotts brushes, which are her favorite, and concludes that the combination of revamping your hair care routine products and tools is a great way to ensure healthy hair sans split ends.
—Danielle Sinay, Glamour, 23 Mar. 2026
Turning off the tap while brushing your teeth can save more than 4 gallons of water.
—Claire Osborn, Austin American Statesman, 17 Mar. 2026
This includes activities like brushing your hair, reaching for objects on shelves or playing certain sports.
—NBC news, 11 Mar. 2026
After each dangerous sequence, however, the singer is shown casually brushing himself off and returning to set, while the stunt performers who executed the risky scenes appear bruised and dusty as filming wraps.
—ABC News, 7 Mar. 2026
Freeny absorbed the impact like Marvin Hagler, hardly flinching and brushing it off.
—Haley Sawyer, Oc Register, 6 Mar. 2026
The project will fully rebuild Touhy Avenue between Elmhurst and Mount Prospect roads in Elk Grove Village, unincorporated Elk Grove Township, and Des Plaines, and brushing against the northern edge of Chicago's O'Hare International Airport.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Brushing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brushing. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
