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
Over the past few years, a dozen hunters had glimpsed the big buck sliding through the brush like a gray ghost. Bob Cary, Outdoor Life, 15 Oct. 2025 The side brush reaching into corners is clutch, and detergent auto-dosing saves guesswork. PC Magazine, 15 Oct. 2025
Verb
Instead, she was told to brush it off. Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025 Gannon also recommends visiting the art area for prints brushed with paint. The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for brush
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brush
encounter
Noun
  • Rare double-comet encounter Having two right comets visible in the sky around the same time is a rare cosmic treat.
    Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Joseph said in recalling an encounter with Denver’s grizzly defensive lineman.
    Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025

Cite this Entry

“Brush.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brush. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.

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