BRUSH (OFF) Synonyms: 83 Similar and Opposite Words

brush (off) 1 of 2

verb

Definition of brush (off)

as in to shrug off

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brush-off

2 of 2

noun

ˈbrəsh-ˌȯf

as in dismissal

treatment that is deliberately unfriendly the mayor tends to give anyone under voting age the brush-off

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 (off)

Noun

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 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 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 See All Example Sentences for brush (off)

Recent Examples of Synonyms for brush (off)

Verb

Despite a brief earnings dip, the stock shrugged off the biggest tech selloff since Covid last week, a bear market in semiconductors, and renewed anxiety around interest-rate hikes, to extend its 2026 rally to 30% and a new all-time high.

— Oliver Renick, CNBC, 11 Nov. 2026
Real mysteries, like what keeps Rusty in a town and a job that destroyed his family, are shrugged off with portentous metaphors about stories—who has the power to tell them, who gets to rewrite their own.

— Judy Berman, Time, 11 Nov. 2026

Definition of shrug off

Noun

As an art form, fantasy has always sailed into the fierce headwinds of elite dismissal.

— David Faris, TheWeek, 10 Nov. 2026
The judge dismissed the lawsuit without prejudice after Parton's estate, led by her longtime manager Danny Nozell, requested its voluntary dismissal last week, according to court records seen by ABC News.

— Katie Kindelan, ABC News, 10 Nov. 2026

Definition of dismissal

Verb

California voters have twice rejected ballot measures to abolish the death penalty, first in 2012 and again in 2016, and Newsom’s decision overrides the will of the courts and state laws that permit capital punishment.

— Taryn Luna, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2026
Voters, in 2024, narrowly rejected a half-cent local sales tax measure that was estimated to generate about $19 million annually.

— Victoria Le, Oc Register, 7 Nov. 2026

Definition of reject

Noun

Perhaps this accident of birth is connected to the subtle rebuff of modern life in Marcon’s films.

— Matthew McLean, Artforum, 22 Sep. 2026
The rebuff contributes to the future civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons, in which Rhaenyra battles her half-brother Aegon II (Tom Glynn-Carney) for the seat of power.

— Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 30 July 2026

Definition of rebuff

Noun

By November 4, voters had voted on 47 measures; 46 resulted in support for tighter controls on data-center development, either through new restrictions or the rejection of proposals that would have encouraged development.

— Amanda Greenwood, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Nov. 2026
Those protests, ‌along with parliament’s rejection last month of government decrees aimed at curbing evictions and limiting rent pressures, prompted Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to call an election for November 29.

— Reuters, NBC news, 11 Nov. 2026

Definition of rejection

Verb

But hell hath no fury like a Latino voter scorned and all this intimidation, in addition to a lack of follow-through on promises by Republican lawmakers since 2024, might have a boomerang effect by agitating Latinos into action.

— Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026
Loneliness looms as a threat to all genders, but men, who are lauded for gruff stoicism and scorned for vulnerability, can be especially ill-equipped to navigate atomization.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of scorn

Noun

However, in a snub that generated widespread outrage, the Selection Committee did not induct Belichick in its Class of 2026 in what was his first year of eligibility.

— Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 5 Nov. 2026
There will be those who insist the playoff snub is merely a convenient excuse for a coach who stopped recruiting effectively, stopped developing quarterbacks and stopped winning football games.

— Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of snub

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brushing (off)

brush (off)

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“Brush (off).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brush%20%28off%29. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of brush (off)

verb

noun

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