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
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
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
  • PayPal has been working with investment banks on takeover and activist defense for the last few months and had already shrugged off initial overtures from Stripe, Semafor reported earlier this year.
    — Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 15 July 2026
  • China has largely shrugged off wider economic impacts from the Iran war as soaring energy prices pushed up global inflation.
    — Chan Ho-Him, Fortune, 15 July 2026
Definition of shrug off
Noun
  • In its filing seeking dismissal of the case, Paramount’s legal team argued that the plaintiffs — Pamela Faust, Len Marazzo, Lisa McCarthy, Deborah Rubinsohn and Gary Talewsky — do not have standing.
    — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 16 July 2026
  • The pitching staff has struggled throughout the year, particularly at hitter-friendly Sutter Health Park, leading to the dismissal of longtime pitching coach Scott Emerson on Monday.
    — Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 16 July 2026
Definition of dismissal
Verb
  • What’s troubling to me, besides the obvious, is the insistence on finding a way to continue to eat animals if your body starts to reject them.
    — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 13 July 2026
  • Energy and shipping companies have loudly rejected a similar idea from Iran, under which ships would pay a toll in order to pass through the critical waterway.
    — Steve Kopack, NBC news, 13 July 2026
Definition of reject
Noun
  • Despite the Reina Sofía’s many refusals to lend the work to various institutions around the world, its rebuff of the Guggenheim’s request carries a particular sting because the Basque Country has long held that the painting belongs in the place where the depicted tragedy occurred.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 1 Apr. 2026
  • The latest rebuff of state overreach was the dismissal last week of the highly questionable felony case against respected Waukegan City Clerk Janet Kilkelly brought by the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office.
    — Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of rebuff
Verb
  • The case had not gone to trial yet, and the charges were dismissed Wednesday as a result of his death, records show.
    — Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026
  • He was charged with vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence and DUI causing injury, but the second charge was later dismissed after the substances tested for were not found to be present in his blood, the statement at the time read.
    — Adam England, PEOPLE, 15 July 2026
Definition of dismiss
Noun
  • The fact that she was passed over for a promotion by the genial yet unimpressive Baasu (Kunal Dudheker) is not revelatory — women often face these kinds of rejections where qualifications are no substitute for hierarchical comfort.
    — David John Chávez, Mercury News, 17 July 2026
  • Despite the feeling of discouragement that can come with the rejections and even ghostings applicants face, these internships — though sometimes few and far between — still exist.
    — Cami Fateh, Vogue, 15 July 2026
Definition of rejection
Verb
  • The season ended with Beth and Rip’s adopted son Carter (Finn Little) being abducted by the family that Beulah scorned when going into business with the infamous Beth Dutton.
    — Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 7 July 2026
  • That sent a chill through a fan base that has been scorned many times by some of the organization’s top players.
    — Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 1 July 2026
Definition of scorn
Noun
  • After two tough seasons of rebuilding, Florida State won 23 games in 2022 and 2023, including an unbeaten regular season (and College Football Playoff snub) in the latter.
    — Ralph D. Russo, New York Times, 15 July 2026
  • Those questions, and a lot more, are discussed as the Variety Awards Circuit Podcast‘s Michael Schneider, Emily Longeretta and Jazz Tangcay hit the roundtable to go over the winners, snubs and surprises from this week’s Emmy nominations.
    — Michael Schneider, Variety, 11 July 2026
Definition of snub

Browse Nearby Words

brushing (off)
brush (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 Jul. 2026.

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