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
Ben Morse, CNN Money, 5 Feb. 2026
His wife of fifty years, Mona, who was seated beside him, emerged from the wreck shaken but seemingly unharmed, brushing off a small bump on her brow.
—Shannon Taggart, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026
Use a broom or other implement to remove snow from shrubs by brushing upward.
—Alexandra Jones, The Spruce, 31 Jan. 2026
Ways to curb water use Monroe officials urged residents to fix leaks and running toilets, keep showers brief and turn off faucets while brushing teeth, shaving and washing dishes.
—Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 29 Jan. 2026
My day always starts in the bathroom brushing my teeth and doing my skincare (CosRX snail mucin, Vanicream moisturizer, and Innisfree sunscreen).
—R29 Team, Refinery29, 28 Jan. 2026
Broil, brushing with remaining sauce in pan halfway through, until salmon is cooked through and sauce is heavily blistered, 12–14 minutes, depending on thickness of fillet.
—Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Testing the powder on rats fed a high-sugar diet, the team found that brushing with BSCT for just one minute a day was enough to restore the rats' oral microbiome, reduce inflammation, and kill the bacteria that causes periodontitis.
—New Atlas, 27 Jan. 2026
Hairspray was used with brushing to obtain the best puffy, pillowy look.
—Karie Angell Luc, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
Verb
From brushing ice in curling to flying down an ice track headfirst in skeleton, the Winter Olympics are home to some unique and exciting sports that feature uncommon vernacular.
—Ben Morse, CNN Money, 5 Feb. 2026
His wife of fifty years, Mona, who was seated beside him, emerged from the wreck shaken but seemingly unharmed, brushing off a small bump on her brow.
—Shannon Taggart, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026
Use a broom or other implement to remove snow from shrubs by brushing upward.
—Alexandra Jones, The Spruce, 31 Jan. 2026
Ways to curb water use Monroe officials urged residents to fix leaks and running toilets, keep showers brief and turn off faucets while brushing teeth, shaving and washing dishes.
—Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 29 Jan. 2026
My day always starts in the bathroom brushing my teeth and doing my skincare (CosRX snail mucin, Vanicream moisturizer, and Innisfree sunscreen).
—R29 Team, Refinery29, 28 Jan. 2026
Broil, brushing with remaining sauce in pan halfway through, until salmon is cooked through and sauce is heavily blistered, 12–14 minutes, depending on thickness of fillet.
—Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Testing the powder on rats fed a high-sugar diet, the team found that brushing with BSCT for just one minute a day was enough to restore the rats' oral microbiome, reduce inflammation, and kill the bacteria that causes periodontitis.
—New Atlas, 27 Jan. 2026
Hairspray was used with brushing to obtain the best puffy, pillowy look.
—Karie Angell Luc, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Brushing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brushing. Accessed 8 Feb. 2026.
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