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

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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

Advertisement In response to which Thune had a polite brush-off. — Philip Elliott, Time, 29 July 2026 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)

Verb

Both of those effects, Maleki said, directly undermined US leverage in the more difficult nuclear talks and emboldened Iran to shrug off the ceasefire and keep attacking ships in the strait.

— Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Contestants shrug off those 'Hunger Games' comments While Freedom 250 calls itself nonpartisan, its ties to Trump have thrust the organization into controversy.

— Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of shrug off

Noun

This includes a High Court lawsuit claiming breach of contract, as well as an employment tribunal for wrongful dismissal and gender discrimination.

— Jake Kanter, Deadline, 6 Aug. 2026
As of Thursday, 24 of the defendants had been cleared, either through a grand jury refusing to indict, the dismissal of charges by prosecutors, or, in the one case that went to trial, a not guilty verdict by a jury.

— Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of dismissal

Verb

The family’s case was rejected — despite being first and second generation, and despite Pedro Monasterios and his children having been recognized as citizens just a few years earlier.

— Julia Buckley, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
Recently, the Pulaski County Quorum Court rejected a measure that would have established a 12-month moratorium on new data centers within unincorporated areas of the county.

— Joseph Flaherty, Arkansas Online, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of reject

Noun

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
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

Definition of rebuff

Verb

Last year, he was separately charged with making false statements to Congress, though the indictment was dismissed.

— Jennifer Jacobs, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026
Lauder also reportedly dismissed the longtime advisors and ad makers who ran his political operation, the Times report shows.

— Sydney Lake, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of dismiss

Noun

She’s seen students disappointed by the state’s rejection of an AP African American history course and English teachers strategically pick books that wouldn’t offend the governor’s sensibilities.

— Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 7 Aug. 2026
Not long ago, many clinicians, including Fejzo’s own doctor, still regarded the illness as a psychological rejection of motherhood, or a bid for attention.

— The New Yorker, New Yorker, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of rejection

Verb

The target of the anger and scorn in all the insulting posters, slogans, and graffiti of the protest zone was not the education minister but Modi himself.

— Asim Ali, Time, 1 Aug. 2026
Now that the Chicago Bears have scorned Portage’s bid to build a stadium on the city’s north side, the Redevelopment Commission plans to repackage the site before offering it to other developers.

— Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 25 July 2026

Definition of scorn

Noun

Meanwhile, franchise pitching legend Dave Stieb has reignited a decades-old debate, asserting that his Hall of Fame snub and lack of Cy Young awards stem from playing in Canada.

— Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026
The snub for entry-level models could discourage those looking forward to this program after Apple’s recent price hikes, which raised the prices of the MacBook Neo and the entry-level iPad by $100.

— Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 22 July 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 8 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of brush (off)

verb

noun

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