BRUSHES Synonyms: 93 Similar and Opposite Words

brushes 1 of 3

noun

plural of brush

as in encounters

a brief clash between enemies or rivals the two advance parties had a brush, but no one was wounded

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brushes

2 of 3

verb (1)

present tense third-person singular of brush

as in flows

to move or proceed smoothly and readily a pop star brushing past a crowd of autograph seekers

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

brushes

3 of 3

verb (2)

present tense third-person singular of brush

as in kisses

to pass lightly across or touch gently especially in passing spiderwebs brushed her cheek as she walked through the basement

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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 brushes

Noun

After filling our brushes with mouthwash from docking station reservoirs, Sarah and I brushed our teeth side-by-side (a first for both of us professionally). — Jenny Bailly, Allure, 1 Sep. 2026 In total, the recall now affects 3,625,800 grill brushes, which have black plastic, stainless steel and wood handles. — Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 31 Aug. 2026 People can be reticent to talk about near-death experiences, but even some celebrities have discussed these brushes with death. — Michael Collins, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026 The bottom pouch features eight elastic folds, perfect for organizing makeup brushes and travel-sized perfumes. — Destinee Scott, Travel + Leisure, 29 Aug. 2026 The neighborhood/area Low-key and residential, dotted with independent businesses—including workshops still turning out traditional brushes, fans, and delicate woodwork. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026 This kit makes both jobs simple with tools for cleaning up to 15-foot vents with flexible rods, specialty brushes that fit inside lint traps, and tweezers to reach into all the nooks and crannies. — Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 22 Aug. 2026 Use dry tools like microfiber mops, coil brushes, or dusters to safely dislodge dust and debris without causing damage. — The Spruce, 17 Aug. 2026 Hanin and Guariglia — who was at the time an attorney but has since been disbarred — had several brushes with police during their relationship, records show. — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 14 Aug. 2026

Verb

Fertitta brushes off the scuffle between his president and Meloni. — CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026 During a penumbral eclipse, the moon merely brushes this outer zone and often appears only subtly dimmed. — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 21 Aug. 2026 Flagrantly practicing an especially ribald strain of cringe comedy that brushes several third rails, often simultaneously, the show could have been a disastrous gambit. — Paula Mejía, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026 Soon after Sally brushes off the comments, her daughters are introduced. — Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 3 Aug. 2026 Out on 6th Avenue, a woman brushes by me holding a tiny white dog. — Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 4 July 2026 Johnson brushes off the skirmishes, broadly speaking, as part of the governing process. — Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 30 June 2026 Bryce Harper, star slugger, the Phillie Phanatic's best friend, and baseball hero to children of all ages, brushes his teeth. — CBS News, 28 May 2026 These stocks have climbed for weeks as the market brushes off the narrative that AI is a threat to the cybersecurity industry. — Morgan Chittum,matthew J. Belvedere, CNBC, 27 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for brushes

Noun

That doesn’t mean people should worry, as the vast majority of encounters don’t result in bites.

— Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026
People tend to be more observant after seeing social media posts or news reports about snake encounters or bites.

— Haley Parsley, Sacbee.com, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of encounters

Verb

And that overall sense of purpose flows from a production unusually well-protected by the women who truly understand this fictional world’s appeal.

— Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 8 Sep. 2026
The organizations that will move fastest in 2027 will be the ones redesigning how work flows across people, processes, governance and enterprise systems.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of flows

Verb

Olive actually kisses professor Adam Carlsen (Tom Bateman) — who accepts her proposal to fake date.

— Entertainment Weekly, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Aug. 2026
Trees blow in the breeze, birds chirp, and the dappled sunlight kisses our skin as six of us observe the chef and snap photos during our outdoor mayonnaise-making class.

— Lauren David, Travel + Leisure, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of kisses

Verb

Viewed through a singular perspective, the camera glides with measured precision, reflecting her focus and quiet intensity.

— Daron James, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2026
Start your visit with a ride on the Bretton Woods Skyway Gondola, which glides above the treetops to reveal sweeping views of the Presidential Range painted in brilliant shades of crimson, amber and gold.

— Brittany Anas, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026

Definition of glides

Verb

Some of my favorites are coming back too, like El Pulpo Magnifico, Duane Flatmo's fire-breathing octopus, and the Monaco, a 40-foot ship with three masts that sails across dust instead of water.

— Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Better yet, take a coastal cruise with Cape Ann Harbor Tours, which sails past six regional lighthouses.

— Nicholas DeRenzo, Travel + Leisure, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of sails

Verb

The Big Ten issued a statement two hours after the game, clarifying the process that was used and citing the rule that was enforced about when the clock stops if a player touches the ball out of bounds.

— Michael Marot, Chicago Tribune, 7 Sep. 2026
Narwal Freo 20 Edge Narwal’s flagship Flow series extends the side of the mop cylinder that touches the ground, so more is in contact with the floor at once.

— Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of touches

Verb

Prompt tuning, evaluation maintenance, regression testing when the underlying model updates and content that drifts out of date all require ongoing attention.

— Antony P Gregory, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
As Ari drifts through the gathering, some guests seem to disappear.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of drifts

Cite this Entry

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“Brushes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brushes. Accessed 10 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of brushes

noun

verb (1)

verb (2)

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