as in flowing
to move or proceed smoothly and readily
a pop star brushing past a crowd of autograph seekers
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Oct. 2025
The storm’s outer bands are already brushing Jamaica and western Haiti, where hurricane watches are in effect.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
While most humans are brushing their teeth and heading to bed, hundreds of millions of birds are taking to the sky – migrating south for the winter, using the moon and the stars to navigate on a journey that will take them thousands of miles.
—Hannah Chinn, NPR, 22 Oct. 2025
That involves both washing and brushing your pet often.
—Krystal Nurse, USA Today, 22 Oct. 2025
The end result was a delightfully silly tune about the importance of brushing one’s teeth.
—Rachel Desantis, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
For example, Croley said dentists can advise habit changes to relieve the symptoms, like better brushing and flossing techniques, different treatments or even drinking more water to relieve dry mouth.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 20 Oct. 2025
Front row at the Dior spring 2026 show in Paris, a few weeks later, her layers were prominent; the short ends just barely brushing her oversize sunglasses.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 17 Oct. 2025
Pinto said, brushing off the sounds while laughing.
—Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
This combination can turn daily, simple tasks like washing hands or brushing teeth into an entire cleaning session.
—Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Oct. 2025
The storm’s outer bands are already brushing Jamaica and western Haiti, where hurricane watches are in effect.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
While most humans are brushing their teeth and heading to bed, hundreds of millions of birds are taking to the sky – migrating south for the winter, using the moon and the stars to navigate on a journey that will take them thousands of miles.
—Hannah Chinn, NPR, 22 Oct. 2025
That involves both washing and brushing your pet often.
—Krystal Nurse, USA Today, 22 Oct. 2025
The end result was a delightfully silly tune about the importance of brushing one’s teeth.
—Rachel Desantis, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
For example, Croley said dentists can advise habit changes to relieve the symptoms, like better brushing and flossing techniques, different treatments or even drinking more water to relieve dry mouth.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 20 Oct. 2025
Front row at the Dior spring 2026 show in Paris, a few weeks later, her layers were prominent; the short ends just barely brushing her oversize sunglasses.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 17 Oct. 2025
Pinto said, brushing off the sounds while laughing.
—Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Brushing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brushing. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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