as in dismissal
treatment that is deliberately unfriendly
the mayor tends to give anyone under voting age the brush-off
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to shrug off
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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 (off)
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
Verb
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)
Noun
-
Janssen’s dismissal flipped the script.—
Tamerra Griffin,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Bolton’s team is likely to seek dismissal or suppression of materials, arguing political motivation and lack of intent, while the Justice Department pushes to protect classified details.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
At the same time, the Federal Reserve’s shift back to rate cuts amid still-solid economic growth should continue to boost to the dollar, which will likely shrug off tariff threats, Brown predicted.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Surprisingly, or perhaps not, WBD is shrugging off the downturn, up a hair to near $18, continuing to be buoyed by takeover talk.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The matter-of-fact rebuff feels very French, very Oklou.—
Anna Gaca,
Pitchfork,
1 Oct. 2025
-
There was a unilateral rebuff toward the idea that the industry is experiencing a drummer shortage in general.—
Devon Ivie,
Vulture,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
One day, doctors could produce blood fully compatible with a patient’s body, avoiding rejection risks.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Other university leaders are saying MIT's rejection of the deal opens the door for other institutions to make the same choice, rather than agree to deals like some of the Ivies have.—
Emma Hinchliffe,
Fortune,
13 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
There’s a particular kind of Oscar-season tragedy that has nothing to do with surprise snubs.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
16 Oct. 2025
-
That Martin limped on until October was a surprise given Raskin’s Old Firm snub happened on the final day of August.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The council had already rejected Allied once before, months earlier, over settlements — including back wages — that the company has had to pay out to current and former employees.—
Shomik Mukherjee,
Mercury News,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Teachers, students, and parents alike rejected the $850 million effort.—
Andrew Nusca,
Fortune,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The Biden administration dismissed the lawsuit, and prosecutors dropped a grand jury investigation the following year.—
NPR,
NPR,
17 Oct. 2025
-
The revelation immediately erupted into a political crisis, with the head of prisons dismissed and Guatemalans threatening to protest.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
It’s scorned Donald, who saw that scoundrel Lee leaving his mistress’s house this morning.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
15 Oct. 2025
-
Hell hath no fury like… an ex scorned?—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
13 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Brush (off).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brush%20%28off%29. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share