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

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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 brush’s long handle enabled easy access to the far reaches of the big tub, ensuring cleanliness throughout. — Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 3 Sep. 2026 Corle, taken completely by surprise, was sideswiped by the massive bear and sent tumbling face first into a thick clump of brush. — Jan Thacker, Outdoor Life, 3 Sep. 2026
Verb
After filling our brushes with mouthwash from docking station reservoirs, Sarah and I brushed our teeth side-by-side (a first for both of us professionally). — Jenny Bailly, Allure, 1 Sep. 2026 Owners should brush through the full coat several times a week, and often daily during heavier shedding periods, rather than merely smoothing the top layer. — Pat Mueller, USA Today, 1 Sep. 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
  • Cell phone video later obtained by media outlets also appeared to conflict with Castro's description of the encounter.
    — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2026
  • In New York City, for instance, pedestrians remain far more likely to be hurt or die in encounters with cars, trucks, or vans.
    — Paula Span, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of encounter
Verb
  • When local issues become national issues Nationalization does not only flow from Washington down.
    — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Prices for most types of petroleum products have gone up since the war with Iran began in late February, amid limits on how much could flow through the Strait of Hormuz.
    — Willa Rubin, NPR, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of flow
Verb
  • Pattinson’s partner Suki Waterhouse, who cheered perhaps loudest after the credits rolled and leaned forward to kiss Pattinson as the crowd applauded his tour-de-force performance.
    — Ramin Setoodeh, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026
  • In video obtained by TMZ, Bunnie Xo kissed 24-year-old reality star Dylan Wolf in Nashville at Jelly Roll's bar.
    — Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of kiss
Verb
  • Merino glided away from challenges to keep Arsenal in control.
    — Thom Harris, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Sea facing suites have views over the harbor and terraces set up with chairs and tables for watching the boats glide in and out.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of glide
Verb
  • One of Goldman’s models suggests that Korea’s fast aging population could shave as much as 25 basis points from annual consumption growth over the next decade.
    — Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Luckily, Atlanta is home to a wider world of frozen desserts, from Indonesian shaved ice to Mexican popsicles.
    — Lia Picard - For the AJC, AJC.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of shave
Verb
  • The vehicle drifted to the right toward the shoulder, struck the woman and continued south on Franklin Boulevard, according to the CHP.
    — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The montage ended bizarrely, with a clip of Clooney drifting into space to die in the film Gravity.
    — Nate Jones, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of drift
Verb
  • Officials say no human contact with the bat is known but urge anyone touched by a bat near Curry Village around May 18 to seek immediate medical advice, noting rabies is fatal yet preventable.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Once parts are cut, technicians will use non-destructive sensors to inspect their internal density and geometry without touching the sensitive surfaces.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of touch
Verb
  • Read All About It Two workers in Nepal were rescued from a hydropower tunnel and others are believed to be trapped inside nine days after deadly floods swept through the country.
    — Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Sah said there seemed to be three or four more people still stuck in the tunnel, and possibly even more, as the tunnel is long and some may have been swept deeper inside.
    — Morgan Winsor, ABC News, 4 Sep. 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 10 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on brush

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about brush

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