as in flowing
to move or proceed smoothly and readily
a pop star brushing past a crowd of autograph seekers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in kissing
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
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Recent Examples of brushing
Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2026
Many, many softly curled tendrils descended from all angles, giving the updo even more soft texture and brushing her neck and collarbones for a flirtatious, come-hither vibe.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 6 Apr. 2026
Questions turn into conversations, and somewhere between rolling dough and brushing egg wash, a sense of community takes shape.
—Daily News, 6 Apr. 2026
Its tulle is brittle and sharp, brushing against my fur like a thousand tiny teeth, a cruel lover that bites with every move.
—Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026
But regular flossing still offers unique benefits, and using a water flosser is not a replacement for brushing your teeth.
—Anne Ewbank, Popular Science, 1 Apr. 2026
Instead of brushing off the feeling, take it seriously.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026
Another admitted to brushing crumbs into the gap between the stove and counter as a child—only to be caught and made to pull the appliance out and deep-clean the entire area.
—Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
And in a way that feels fitting, Hart is brushing it off while inching closer to a statistical territory few players — even the greatest shooters — have ever touched.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 23 Mar. 2026
Verb
But the savviest country stars are able to argue for basic respect for others while brushing off whatever political coding comes with it.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2026
Many, many softly curled tendrils descended from all angles, giving the updo even more soft texture and brushing her neck and collarbones for a flirtatious, come-hither vibe.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 6 Apr. 2026
Questions turn into conversations, and somewhere between rolling dough and brushing egg wash, a sense of community takes shape.
—Daily News, 6 Apr. 2026
Its tulle is brittle and sharp, brushing against my fur like a thousand tiny teeth, a cruel lover that bites with every move.
—Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026
But regular flossing still offers unique benefits, and using a water flosser is not a replacement for brushing your teeth.
—Anne Ewbank, Popular Science, 1 Apr. 2026
Instead of brushing off the feeling, take it seriously.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026
Another admitted to brushing crumbs into the gap between the stove and counter as a child—only to be caught and made to pull the appliance out and deep-clean the entire area.
—Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
And in a way that feels fitting, Hart is brushing it off while inching closer to a statistical territory few players — even the greatest shooters — have ever touched.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 23 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Brushing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brushing. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
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