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

In sweltering Edinburg, Texas, 52-year-old Kristin Jimenez shrugged off the rising price of gas after filling up her Mercedes.

— Steve Peoples, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2026
Not upsetting Beijing Washington is unlikely to raise tensions and upset Beijing ahead of next week's summit, while China is expected to shrug off efforts aimed at curbing oil purchases, according to analysts.

— Anniek Bao,Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of shrug off

Noun

Kotzmacher said the absence and dismissal of the issue only strengthened her resolve.

— Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Sep. 2026
In his Instagram caption, Macklemore referenced his dismissal from pop star Ed Sheeran’s Loop tour over his pro-Palestinian messaging and the ensuing fallout.

— Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of dismissal

Verb

Requests for heavy construction equipment, in particular, are often rejected; Israeli officials say Hamas fighters could use it to dig tunnels.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Sep. 2026
The court rejected Kalshi’s broad interpretation of the Commodity Exchange Act and upheld an order allowing Nevada to enforce its gambling regulations against Kalshi’s sports event contracts.

— Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 19 Sep. 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

Noun

Across the past century, other nations have renamed themselves or tweaked their names for various reasons, from modernization to rejection of colonialism.

— Ted Anthony, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026
Did the account have a long, clean history before the rejection?

— Adarsh Naidu, Forbes.com, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of rejection

Verb

On a fictional highway in 1958, a Cadillac became badly scorned by a little Nash Rambler.

— Jody Mamone, Hartford Courant, 14 Sep. 2026
Bass, who was scorned for being out of town during the January 2025 Palisades fire despite high wind warnings, did slightly better with 18%.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of scorn

Noun

Its complete omission from the 2026 Latin Grammy nominations was one of the most notable snubs on Wednesday morning.

— Sigal Ratner-Arias, Billboard, 16 Sep. 2026
The Pro Football Hall of Fame cut its number of voters in half, among other changes, following its snub of first-time-eligible coach Bill Belichick.

— Matt Piper, New York Times, 5 Sep. 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 27 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of brush (off)

verb

noun

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