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
Vivian Song, CNN Money, 8 Nov. 2025
PetMD recommends making brushing as enjoyable for your dog as possible.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2025
Hasan’s team tested the regenerated tissue under real-world conditions such as brushing, chewing, and exposure to acidic foods.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 5 Nov. 2025
That also includes light touch on your scalp from brushing your hair, the sensation of rubbing a blanket over your body, or feeling a breeze brush against your skin.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 4 Nov. 2025
By Saturday, the historic Atlantic hurricane will lose its tropical characteristics — and its name — and become a strong post-tropical cyclone over the north Atlantic, brushing by the Canadian Maritimes.
—Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 31 Oct. 2025
Her bob cut complemented the neckline, with her blond tips just barely brushing her collarbone.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 29 Oct. 2025
Sandra would go days in the same pajamas, not brushing her teeth, not washing her hair.
—Sean Williams, Outside, 27 Oct. 2025
Expect random inspiration to hit while brushing your teeth or running errands.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 26 Oct. 2025
Verb
Daily baguette runs to the local bakery – an errand that Anract says used to be as automatic and ritualistic as brushing teeth – have become less frequent.
—Vivian Song, CNN Money, 8 Nov. 2025
PetMD recommends making brushing as enjoyable for your dog as possible.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2025
Hasan’s team tested the regenerated tissue under real-world conditions such as brushing, chewing, and exposure to acidic foods.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 5 Nov. 2025
That also includes light touch on your scalp from brushing your hair, the sensation of rubbing a blanket over your body, or feeling a breeze brush against your skin.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 4 Nov. 2025
By Saturday, the historic Atlantic hurricane will lose its tropical characteristics — and its name — and become a strong post-tropical cyclone over the north Atlantic, brushing by the Canadian Maritimes.
—Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 31 Oct. 2025
Her bob cut complemented the neckline, with her blond tips just barely brushing her collarbone.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 29 Oct. 2025
Sandra would go days in the same pajamas, not brushing her teeth, not washing her hair.
—Sean Williams, Outside, 27 Oct. 2025
Expect random inspiration to hit while brushing your teeth or running errands.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 26 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Brushing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brushing. Accessed 4 Dec. 2025.
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