as in flows
to move or proceed smoothly and readily
a pop star brushing past a crowd of autograph seekers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in kisses
to pass lightly across or touch gently especially in passing
spiderwebs brushed her cheek as she walked through the basement
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of brushes
Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 11 Jan. 2026
Plastic hairbrushes and combs can be placed in the utensil basket, but don't include any natural-bristle brushes or those with wooden handles.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 9 Jan. 2026
What’s wrong with power brushes?
—Terri Williams, Architectural Digest, 6 Jan. 2026
Pockets of dark earth briefly appeared and disappeared under trowels and brushes until one of the excavators stopped.
—Elizabeth Sawchuk, The Conversation, 1 Jan. 2026
Thanks to a large storage compartment and two drawers, there’s plenty of room to store hair brushes, toothpaste, soap, razors, and up to seven toothbrushes.
—Kaitlin Gates, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Dec. 2025
According to folklore, a magical fox runs across the snowy wilderness of Lapland, and as its tail brushes against the snowflakes, sparks fly into the sky, creating the lights.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 30 Dec. 2025
Restrategize The Sink In-sink racks and caddies provide additional space for dishes, sponges, and bottle brushes to dry.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 27 Dec. 2025
Her brushes guided her into a new era—one where art would no longer be a side passion, but the foundation of a visual language that continues to deepen, expand, and heal.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 5 Nov. 2025
Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 23 Dec. 2025
If someone does bring up his teary picture, Wallake brushes it off.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 21 Dec. 2025
Judy brushes him off and leads the way to Cabin Twelve.
—Michael Nied, PEOPLE, 26 Nov. 2025
With this new insight in hand, Carol brushes herself off and heads back to the hospital to visit Zosia and ask her directly if there’s any way to reverse the Joining.
—Scott Tobias, Vulture, 21 Nov. 2025
When Damien recognizes the photo from a news clipping, Adam brushes it off, claiming the man is his half-brother.
—Isabella Wandermurem, Time, 14 Nov. 2025
If the doctor brushes you off or looks at their watch, get a new doctor!
—Kat McGowan, NPR, 18 Oct. 2025
Continue reading … NO LAUGHING MATTER – White House brushes off SNL season premiere, calling show 'waste' of time.
—FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2025
Despite the mess in her apartment, the man, like everyone else in her life, brushes off her fears as the exaggerations of an overactive imagination.
—Marya E. Gates, IndieWire, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
There’s also a section to store makeup brushes, plus several mesh pockets for lipsticks and smaller items, and a separate waterproof pocket for damp items.
—Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 11 Jan. 2026
Plastic hairbrushes and combs can be placed in the utensil basket, but don't include any natural-bristle brushes or those with wooden handles.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 9 Jan. 2026
What’s wrong with power brushes?
—Terri Williams, Architectural Digest, 6 Jan. 2026
Pockets of dark earth briefly appeared and disappeared under trowels and brushes until one of the excavators stopped.
—Elizabeth Sawchuk, The Conversation, 1 Jan. 2026
Thanks to a large storage compartment and two drawers, there’s plenty of room to store hair brushes, toothpaste, soap, razors, and up to seven toothbrushes.
—Kaitlin Gates, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Dec. 2025
According to folklore, a magical fox runs across the snowy wilderness of Lapland, and as its tail brushes against the snowflakes, sparks fly into the sky, creating the lights.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 30 Dec. 2025
Restrategize The Sink In-sink racks and caddies provide additional space for dishes, sponges, and bottle brushes to dry.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 27 Dec. 2025
Her brushes guided her into a new era—one where art would no longer be a side passion, but the foundation of a visual language that continues to deepen, expand, and heal.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 5 Nov. 2025
Verb
Elizabeth Scott brushes off the comparison.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 23 Dec. 2025
If someone does bring up his teary picture, Wallake brushes it off.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 21 Dec. 2025
Judy brushes him off and leads the way to Cabin Twelve.
—Michael Nied, PEOPLE, 26 Nov. 2025
With this new insight in hand, Carol brushes herself off and heads back to the hospital to visit Zosia and ask her directly if there’s any way to reverse the Joining.
—Scott Tobias, Vulture, 21 Nov. 2025
When Damien recognizes the photo from a news clipping, Adam brushes it off, claiming the man is his half-brother.
—Isabella Wandermurem, Time, 14 Nov. 2025
If the doctor brushes you off or looks at their watch, get a new doctor!
—Kat McGowan, NPR, 18 Oct. 2025
Continue reading … NO LAUGHING MATTER – White House brushes off SNL season premiere, calling show 'waste' of time.
—FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2025
Despite the mess in her apartment, the man, like everyone else in her life, brushes off her fears as the exaggerations of an overactive imagination.
—Marya E. Gates, IndieWire, 9 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brushes
encounters
Noun
-
Season 2 begins with Langdon's first day back in action, which will inevitably lead to some awkward encounters.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Experts say there is no clear pattern behind recent shark encounters, emphasizing that the ocean is a dynamic environment where humans enter the natural habitat of marine predators.—
Ryan Macasero,
Mercury News,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Brushes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brushes. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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