as in dismissal
treatment that is deliberately unfriendly
the mayor tends to give anyone under voting age the brush-off
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to shrug off
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Recent Examples of brush (off)
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
Initially, Makua gave Momoa's offer a polite brush-off.
—Janee Bolden, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 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
But there are now pressing concerns over whether Trump will pull the U.S. from the alliance as part of his broader brush-off of America's allies—and whether the remaining nations of the Five Eyes could survive it.
—Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 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
Verb
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
Initially, Makua gave Momoa's offer a polite brush-off.
—Janee Bolden, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 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
But there are now pressing concerns over whether Trump will pull the U.S. from the alliance as part of his broader brush-off of America's allies—and whether the remaining nations of the Five Eyes could survive it.
—Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 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)
Noun
-
But his blunt dismissal of APEC risks worsening America’s reputation at a forum that represents nearly 40% of the world’s population and more than half of global goods trade.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Since Oklahoma State fired Mike Gundy on September 23 through Kelly’s dismissal one month later, 10 FBS schools have ousted their head coaches.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
New York — The stock market rally has already defied expectations this year, shrugging off geopolitical strife, economic uncertainty and global trade tensions to reach fresh record highs.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
27 Oct. 2025
-
The Warriors took down the Nuggets, 137-131, on Thursday, clawing their way back from a 14-point crater, surviving a 50-point explosion from San Jose’s Aaron Gordon, and somehow shrugging off yet another triple-double from Jokic.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The matter-of-fact rebuff feels very French, very Oklou.—
Anna Gaca,
Pitchfork,
1 Oct. 2025
-
There was a unilateral rebuff toward the idea that the industry is experiencing a drummer shortage in general.—
Devon Ivie,
Vulture,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Moore’s journey reveals how Black Nationalism emerged not simply as a rejection of American ideals, but as a demand for their true fulfillment.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Trump imposed fresh sanctions on Russia's two largest oil companies—Rosneft and Lukoil—for its rejection of a ceasefire, applying extra economic pressure on the Kremlin to make peace in Ukraine.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Boseman's masterful portrayal earned him plenty of critical acclaim, and his lack of an Oscar nomination was considered one of the biggest snubs of the following year.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
PEOPLE,
24 Oct. 2025
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While players and their teams should not necessarily be judged on individual award nods, snubs, wins, or losses, Thursday’s announcement is a reminder of a key reason why the Red Sox fell short this year and what the front office must do this offseason.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The 2023 edition opened a month later as Israel intensified its bombing campaign on Gaza, which has since killed more than 67,000 people, injured another 170,000 and razed the Palestinian territory to the ground, prompting accusations of genocide, which Israel has strongly rejected.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Wyden’s aide rejected outright the concept that the Finance Committee lacks proper jurisdiction.—
Kevin Fixler,
Idaho Statesman,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In July 2024, Baldwin’s involuntary manslaughter trial ended by being dismissed with prejudice after his attorneys argued that prosecutors had buried evidence.—
Jack Smart,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
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In Monday’s filing, lawyers for Robert Morris and his wife, Debbie Morris, argue Clemishire’s claims should be dismissed in part because the statute of limitations on them have expired.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In the mayoral race between Zohran Mamdani and Andrew Cuomo, Adams was relegated to an afterthought, an object of ridicule and scorn.—
Molly Ball,
Time,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Many skilled bartenders seem to scorn the Bloody Mary, regarding it as unserious and lightweight, just as many in the food world loathe brunch, the meal most often associated with the Bloody Mary, or wine people ridicule Sancerre, seeing it as a fallback order for people who know little about wine.—
The New York Times News Service Syndicate,
Denver Post,
28 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Brush (off).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brush%20%28off%29. Accessed 1 Nov. 2025.
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