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
The scent profile is tropical but never overpowering, and the formula applies cleanly with fingers or an edge brush. Jailynn Taylor, Allure, 26 June 2025 Use a soft-bristle brush and a wide-tooth comb, and take your time, especially around areas that already feel sparse or irritated. 2. Health, 26 June 2025
Verb
Despite initially brushing off the market’s reaction, Trump adjusted his trade agenda two weeks later by reducing and delaying his April tariffs on all other countries, but ramping them up to levels as high as 145 percent on China. Sylvan Lane, The Hill, 27 June 2025 But keeping your mouth pristine requires more than just brushing your teeth twice a day. Alexis Berger, SELF, 23 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for brush
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brush
encounter
Noun
  • Plant, then 18, had a brief but powerful encounter with the princess that sparked her lifelong mission to honor Diana’s legacy.
    Janine Henni, People.com, 28 June 2025
  • But policing experts say the aggressive approach is provoking unnecessarily dangerous encounters.
    Lauren Villagran, USA Today, 28 June 2025

Cite this Entry

“Brush.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brush. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.

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