as in to shrug off
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as in dismissal
treatment that is deliberately unfriendly
the mayor tends to give anyone under voting age the brush-off
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of brush (off)
Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 3 Mar. 2026
But his subtle brush-off of Collins is a sign of the cocky and brash kid already beginning to emerge — the same one who could cut down people down to size on his way to redefining himself and jolting both the New York folk scene and the world of pop at large.
—David Browne, Rolling Stone, 26 Oct. 2025
That brush-off on top of Chris somehow edging her out of the Olympic team so that Tunde wound up as an alternate was too much not to go nuclear.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2025
Initially, Makua gave Momoa's offer a polite brush-off.
—Janee Bolden, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025
Some interpreted the moment as a blatant brush-off; however, others pointed out that Brigitte, 72, could simply have been focused on keeping her balance on the airplane steps or preparing herself to greet the Prince and Princess of Wales.
—Meredith Kile, People.com, 8 July 2025
But our findings suggest that the mere inclusion of abbreviations, although seemingly benign, start feeling like a brush-off.
—David Fang, The Conversation, 9 Apr. 2025
But there are now pressing concerns over whether Trump will pull the U.S. from the alliance as part of his broader brush-off of America's allies—and whether the remaining nations of the Five Eyes could survive it.
—Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025
Alumi-Blast is an apt name for this low sheen coating that looks realistically like cast aluminum that has received a light brush-off abrasive blast at the factory.
—Roy Berendsohn, Popular Mechanics, 26 June 2023
Noun
The comment has done little to settle the debate, with fans remaining divided on whether to take her denial seriously or read it as a playful brush-off.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 3 Mar. 2026
But his subtle brush-off of Collins is a sign of the cocky and brash kid already beginning to emerge — the same one who could cut down people down to size on his way to redefining himself and jolting both the New York folk scene and the world of pop at large.
—David Browne, Rolling Stone, 26 Oct. 2025
That brush-off on top of Chris somehow edging her out of the Olympic team so that Tunde wound up as an alternate was too much not to go nuclear.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2025
Initially, Makua gave Momoa's offer a polite brush-off.
—Janee Bolden, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025
Some interpreted the moment as a blatant brush-off; however, others pointed out that Brigitte, 72, could simply have been focused on keeping her balance on the airplane steps or preparing herself to greet the Prince and Princess of Wales.
—Meredith Kile, People.com, 8 July 2025
But our findings suggest that the mere inclusion of abbreviations, although seemingly benign, start feeling like a brush-off.
—David Fang, The Conversation, 9 Apr. 2025
But there are now pressing concerns over whether Trump will pull the U.S. from the alliance as part of his broader brush-off of America's allies—and whether the remaining nations of the Five Eyes could survive it.
—Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025
Alumi-Blast is an apt name for this low sheen coating that looks realistically like cast aluminum that has received a light brush-off abrasive blast at the factory.
—Roy Berendsohn, Popular Mechanics, 26 June 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brush (off)
Verb
-
The mayor shrugged off Plano’s reported discussions with the Stars, calling it competition that doesn’t concern him.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Investors are shrugging off the verdicts.—
Morgan Lee,
Fortune,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Additionally, Redd filed a motion seeking the dismissal of the lawsuit for failure to state a claim.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The sentence followed a similar plea deal for her co-defendant and boyfriend, Dhante Jackson, who won the dismissal of murder and child abuse charges in October of last year in exchange for a no contest plea on a lone accessory count.—
Jakob Rodgers,
Mercury News,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The latest rebuff of state overreach was the dismissal last week of the highly questionable felony case against respected Waukegan City Clerk Janet Kilkelly brought by the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Braced by that humiliating rebuff, the Service wasted no time in getting serious and rallying around reform.—
Craig Hooper,
Forbes.com,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The lawsuit follows the board’s rejection of the foundation’s application, citing a state Supreme Court ruling that came after the board rejected the foundation's application.—
KOKH Staff,
Baltimore Sun,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Looks-maxxing has been described as a nihilistic rejection of society’s values.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Lloyd told the student he had been jumped three weeks earlier and believed someone from the fraternity he had been rejected from sent someone to attack him.—
WCCO Staff,
CBS News,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Residents also raised $1,200 via a GoFundMe fundraising page to pressure county commissioners to reject the project.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
And Rob Shuter claims the snub was very much intentional.—
StyleCaster Editors,
StyleCaster,
23 Mar. 2026
-
There may have been various reasons for the snub, including a shortage of chips or a sufficient supply of the existing iPad 11, Gurman says.—
Jibin Joseph,
PC Magazine,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Johnson dismissed the criticism.—
Jack Fink,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
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Red flags worth walking away from include dismissing symptoms without investigation, attributing everything to stress or anxiety, discouraging second opinions and making patients feel rushed.—
Allison Palmer,
Miami Herald,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The hypocrisy is especially rank as RFK pushes the Food and Drug Administration to loosen restrictions on peptides, an experimental fad among wellness influencers who scorn traditional medicine.—
Editorial Board,
Washington Post,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Brenda's right to call it out, and Mac’s 'Brenda scorned' joke was the perfect touch of humor to a stressful situation.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
23 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Brush (off).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brush%20%28off%29. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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