Synonyms of brush (off)

brush (off) 1 of 2

verb

as in to shrug off

Related Words

• shrug off
• scoff (at)
• wink (at)
• reject
• rebel (against)
• dismiss
• scorn
• revolt (against)
• pass over
• mock
• disobey
• flout
• defy
• tune out
• ignore
• pooh-pooh
• disregard
• mutiny (against)
• violate
• combat
• fight
• breach
• resist
• overlook
• withstand
• infringe
• oppose
• contest
• disoblige
• dispute
• transgress
• buck
• overpass
• break

Dissimilar Words

• submit (to)
• yield (to)
• surrender (to)
• concede (to)
• defer (to)
• serve
• cooperate (with)
• capitulate (to)
• agree (to)
• stoop (to)
• keep
• accede (to)
• listen (to)
• goose-step (to)
• assent (to)
• observe
• hear
• conform (to)
• comply (with)
• attend
• watch
• notice
• note
• acquiesce (to)
• mark
• regard
• oblige
• follow
• heed
• obey
• mind

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

• dismissal
• rebuff
• rejection
• snub
• silent treatment
• repulse
• cold shoulder
• kiss-off
• banishment
• ostracism
• blackball

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• acceptance
• open arms
• welcome
• embrace
• welcome mat
• glad hand

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of brush (off)

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

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