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

Wrapped in a tough, drop-proof fabric shell that floats and shrugs off water, it is engineered to survive real-world chaos.

— Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 28 Sep. 2026
Vargo, 71, shrugged off criticism in an interview with the Orlando Sentinel.

— Stephen Hudak, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of shrug off

Noun

Trump’s Justice Department has been reviewing the pending cases one by one before seeking dismissal.

— Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026
The widespread dismissal of standardized testing is one of the silliest and most harmful developments in the past twenty-five years of education discourse.

— Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of dismissal

Verb

But Moscow has rejected a ceasefire, saying a comprehensive peace deal must be agreed rather than a temporary truce.

— HANNA ARHIROVA, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
The groups behind the #BlockTheMerger coalition, which had amassed more than 5,700 signatories from actors, filmmakers and industry workers opposed to the deal, filed a brief with the court urging Martínez-Olguín to reject the settlement.

— Todd Spangler, Variety, 3 Oct. 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

Verb

The complaint escalates the department’s battle with the federal judiciary, which has halted administration priorities, dismissed high-profile prosecutions and accused government lawyers in some cases of failing to comply with court orders.

— Alanna Durkin Richer, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026
The state did not seek to dismiss allegations related to Morrissey’s statements to the media or to her agreement to log a cache of bullets under a separate case number, functionally hiding them from the defense.

— Gene Maddaus, Variety, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of dismiss

Noun

His concurrence read the panel’s decision as narrower than a categorical rejection of federal access.

— Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 1 Oct. 2026
However, the film faced rejection from film festivals like Sundance and SXSW, and struggled to secure traditional studio distribution because of its controversial, pitch-black satirical premise about school shootings and social media.

— Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of rejection

Verb

The investors among this small and scorned generation, now aged 45-61, are watching markets play out on their screens and constantly see the plot parallels with past cycles.

— Michael Santoli, CNBC, 22 Sep. 2026
On a fictional highway in 1958, a Cadillac became badly scorned by a little Nash Rambler.

— Jody Mamone, Hartford Courant, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of scorn

Noun

As his son Charles recounts in Swan Song, when Diana considered calling off her wedding to Prince Charles after suffering various snubs from the heir to the throne, Count Spencer flatly rejected his youngest daughter’s idea.

— Diego Parrado, Vanity Fair, 29 Sep. 2026
Its complete omission from the 2026 Latin Grammy nominations was one of the most notable snubs on Wednesday morning.

— Sigal Ratner-Arias, Billboard, 16 Sep. 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 4 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of brush (off)

verb

noun

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