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
Tanya Babbar, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 May 2026
When you’re done brushing your hair, air dry or diffuse your hair.
—Catharine Malzahn, Glamour, 4 May 2026
Wipe the sink after brushing teeth or washing your face.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 2026
Those teams no longer have the luxury of brushing off a loss and reloading for the next game.
—Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2026
Wipe down the sink after brushing teeth or washing your face.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 30 Apr. 2026
Europe’s software companies are doing better than expected this earnings season, brushing off fears around artificial intelligence and the impact of the Iran war on business confidence.
—Chloe Meley, Bloomberg, 30 Apr. 2026
Moesenthin said her favorite part was brushing the horses.
—Nick Lunemann, CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
Crushing a leaf or brushing against the plants occasionally can help release more of their natural oils, enhancing their effect.
—Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 26 Apr. 2026
Verb
Customers should boil water prior to washing their hands or face, brushing their teeth, drinking or cooking.
—Tanya Babbar, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 May 2026
When you’re done brushing your hair, air dry or diffuse your hair.
—Catharine Malzahn, Glamour, 4 May 2026
Wipe the sink after brushing teeth or washing your face.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 2026
Those teams no longer have the luxury of brushing off a loss and reloading for the next game.
—Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2026
Wipe down the sink after brushing teeth or washing your face.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 30 Apr. 2026
Europe’s software companies are doing better than expected this earnings season, brushing off fears around artificial intelligence and the impact of the Iran war on business confidence.
—Chloe Meley, Bloomberg, 30 Apr. 2026
Moesenthin said her favorite part was brushing the horses.
—Nick Lunemann, CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
Crushing a leaf or brushing against the plants occasionally can help release more of their natural oils, enhancing their effect.
—Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Brushing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brushing. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
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