brush (off) 1 of 2

verb

Definition of brush (off)next
as in to shrug off

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brush-off

2 of 2

noun

ˈbrəsh-ˌȯf How to pronounce brush-off (audio)
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)
  1. shrug off
  2. dismissal
  3. reject
  4. rebuff
  5. dismiss
  6. rejection
  7. scorn
  8. snub
Verb
  • Wall Street is coming off a winning week for the major averages, as a rally in tech stocks helped investors shrug off higher oil prices and yields.
    — Sean Conlon,Hugh Leask,Lee Ying Shan,Sarah Min, CNBC, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Moraitis shrugged off the fact that her opponent won Herbst’s endorsement.
    — Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of shrug off
Noun
  • His lawyers, making the motion for dismissal, argued that Kuznietsov was still an active duty soldier and as such was obligated by Ukrainian law not to speak for reasons of secrecy linked to national security.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Even if Chili’s dismissal is unrelated, an ex-employee is a good place to start.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of dismissal
Verb
  • Quebec voters have twice rejected independence, most recently by a razor-thin margin in a 1995 referendum.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
  • For countries that rejected the open international order, as the axis countries do today, the benefits were far fewer and the penalties considerable.
    — Andrea Kendall-Taylor, Foreign Affairs, 16 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 stance has seen Newsom, who warns the passage of Prop 40 could see an exodus of the super rich from California, mocked and dismissed by fellow Democrats.
    — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The complaint was ultimately dismissed, and Iowa's Republican leaders celebrated the ruling.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of dismiss
Noun
  • When a property manager rejected a recommended rent, the adviser reviewed the rejection and the justification.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026
  • If judgment is causing premature rejection of an employee’s approach, the manager can ask what evidence actually supports that judgment.
    — Thomas Lim, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 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
  • The great Monaco Grand Prix snub of Martin Brundle by Kim Kardashian has finally been put to rest.
    — Sean Joseph OutKick, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2026
  • His snub in Greece sent him down a different path, which has led him to an unlikely opportunity in the NBA.
    — Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of snub

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brushing (off)
brush (off)
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Cite this Entry

“Brush (off).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brush%20%28off%29. Accessed 18 Oct. 2026.

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