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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of brushing
Tory Johnson, ABC News, 24 Feb. 2026
Removing the jewelry when taking part in sports is also recommended, along with brushing twice per day and not skipping routine dental visits.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 24 Feb. 2026
Each moment of the night brings a thousand touches; brushing her are currents carrying chemical gossip alongside self-serve algae.
—Literary Hub, 23 Feb. 2026
The pair have relaxed during the Olympics by filming spoof videos after wins while brushing their teeth.
—Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2026
There are no Roomba-like machines flanking the stone, frantically brushing to extend its travel or hold its line.
—IEEE Spectrum, 18 Feb. 2026
Tammy Boarman began keeping a jug of bottled water next to the sink for brushing her teeth.
—Nick Bowlin, The Frontier, 16 Feb. 2026
The video shows friends and family washing Vonn's hair in an inflatable basin and later brushing and braiding it.
—Isabel Yip, NBC news, 16 Feb. 2026
Roast until lightly browned on both sides, about 30 minutes, flipping and brushing with drippings halfway through.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 12 Feb. 2026
Verb
The toothpaste and accelerator systems whiten and improve overall oral wellness simply by brushing for two minutes twice a day.
—Tory Johnson, ABC News, 24 Feb. 2026
Removing the jewelry when taking part in sports is also recommended, along with brushing twice per day and not skipping routine dental visits.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 24 Feb. 2026
Each moment of the night brings a thousand touches; brushing her are currents carrying chemical gossip alongside self-serve algae.
—Literary Hub, 23 Feb. 2026
The pair have relaxed during the Olympics by filming spoof videos after wins while brushing their teeth.
—Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2026
There are no Roomba-like machines flanking the stone, frantically brushing to extend its travel or hold its line.
—IEEE Spectrum, 18 Feb. 2026
Tammy Boarman began keeping a jug of bottled water next to the sink for brushing her teeth.
—Nick Bowlin, The Frontier, 16 Feb. 2026
The video shows friends and family washing Vonn's hair in an inflatable basin and later brushing and braiding it.
—Isabel Yip, NBC news, 16 Feb. 2026
Roast until lightly browned on both sides, about 30 minutes, flipping and brushing with drippings halfway through.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 12 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Brushing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brushing. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
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