Synonyms of brush

brush 1 of 3

noun

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

• encounter
• skirmish
• fight
• scrape
• run-in
• argument
• quarrel
• spat
• brawl
• battle
• hassle
• row
• tiff
• squabble
• wrangle
• fray

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• flow
• glide
• drift
• sweep
• slide
• sail
• slip
• stream
• coast
• breeze
• roll
• race
• fly
• cruise
• speed
• bowl
• skim
• whisk
• rush

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• struggle
• limp
• flounder
• stumble
• stamp
• lumber
• shuffle
• trudge
• plod
• stump
• tramp
• stomp
• labor
• toil
• shamble

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• kiss
• shave
• touch
• skim
• nudge
• graze
• stroke
• caress
• pat
• scrape
• sweep
• bump
• miss
• contact
• swipe
• skip
• strike
• pet
• love
• cuddle
• rebound
• glance
• bounce
• sideswipe
• fondle
• ricochet
• skirt
• carom

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hit
• knock
• bump
• slap
• impact
• punch
• smack
• swipe
• smash
• bang
• clash
• slam
• ram
• collide
• whack
• impinge
• bash
• crash
• thud
• thwack

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of brush

Noun

Mechanical thinning removes smaller trees and brush so forests are less crowded. —Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 13 Mar. 2026

Then, rub on your powder, use a fluffy brush to remove the excess powder, add another coat of top coat, and cure for 60 seconds. —Kara Jillian Brown, InStyle, 12 Mar. 2026

Verb

From the cake batter, to the lemon syrup that’s brushed on the cake, and finally to the lemon glaze, this moist pound cake is positively overflowing with lemon flavor. —Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 10 Mar. 2026

Attracted by artificial light, dozens of gentle manta rays playfully brushed against us. —Allison Tibaldi, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026

Phrases Containing brush

• brush (aside or off)