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
There are two temperature settings—356 and 410 degrees Fahrenheit for the curling attachments, with slightly lower heat options for the thermal brush. — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 7 Oct. 2026 The technology is still early, and there isn’t enough independent evidence yet to say a camera toothbrush cleans better than a good manual or electric brush used with proper brushing technique. — Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 7 Oct. 2026
Verb
Jansen was beaten through the gate by a Hazlewood nip-backer on 35, and Simon Harmer went in the same over to a riser that brushed his glove and shoulder and that Carey had to leap high for. — ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026 The Child Mind Institute notes that losing a close friendship can be emotionally painful for young people, and urges adults to take those experiences seriously rather than brushing them off. — Ashley Lynch, Sacbee.com, 12 Oct. 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
  • There are encounters, opportunities, things that inspire you.
    — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
  • It’s affected by Planet 1’s gravity during the encounter as well.
    — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of encounter
Verb
  • The question confronting Israel and its international partners is not simply whether money should flow into Gaza, but also who controls it—and whether the next arrangement will avoid the failures of the last.
    — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The program could also be targeted rather than universal — triggered by sector-specific unemployment spikes, income level, or geography, so the money flows first to the workers AI disrupts most.
    — Sarah Cannon, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of flow
Verb
  • That willingness to take risks extended to campaigning for Jessie and Buzz to kiss amid a perilous action sequence.
    — Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The trailer begins as Ziegler’s Mae frantically asks family friend Benny, played by a sleepy Rob Lowe, for help after her big mistake — kissing the wrong brother between Graham Phillips’ Andrew and Elias Kacavas’ Theo.
    — Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of kiss
Verb
  • With a pair of real horns, one of them plays the bull by gliding toward the fuchsia bullfighting cape.
    — Eyder Peralta, NPR, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Xerf uses dual-frequency energy administered through a patented device that glides across the skin.
    — Shelby Wax, Vogue, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of glide
Verb
  • Especially right now, since Amazon just shaved 25% off for the Prime Day afterparty.
    — Kelsey Fogarty, PC Magazine, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Apparently, Tony Romo shaved two strokes off his final round scorecard.
    — Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of shave
Verb
  • The autumn sun is drifting southward and the angle of shadows is shifting.
    — Dana Kelley, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026
  • His attention drifts towards intimate details – the bare armpit, the small hollow at the base of Rafael’s neck – and the music follows him into this increasingly private, almost obsessive fascination.
    — Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of drift
Verb
  • Insert an oven-going thermometer into the center of an inside thigh muscle (thermometer should not touch bone).
    — Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Oct. 2026
  • European natural gas futures have not yet reached the record peaks seen during the 2022 energy crisis triggered by the Russia-Ukraine conflict, when prices briefly touched 300 euros per megawatt-hour.
    — , CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of touch
Verb
  • Cartier topped the ring category with the Love sweeping into first place, followed by the Hermès Chaine d’Ancre Enchainee and the Chanel Coco Crush.
    — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026
  • They were then swept by the Chicago White Sox in two games at home in a Wild Card Playoff series.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 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 20 Oct. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about brush

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