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
Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
The second verse is no less random, with lyrics about moonwalking on a UFO, dropping bars while brushing teeth and a shout out to legendary 2001 blaxploitation-adjacent comedy Pootie Tang.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 12 Sep. 2025
Because violence in America is as natural to many of us as cooking our food or brushing our teeth.
—Kevin Powell, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
Aveda Brilliant Damage Control helps protect hair from the everyday hazards of brushing, blow-drying, and beyond.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 10 Sep. 2025
After brushing off the sand and retiring our flip-flops, getting dressed suddenly feels intentional again — and effort feels exciting.
—Brooke Devard Ozaydinli, Refinery29, 10 Sep. 2025
To help avoid tonsil stones, maintain your oral hygiene by brushing, flossing, and visiting the dentist regularly.
—Mark Gurarie, Health, 4 Sep. 2025
Later, Teegan and Ethan reacted to the rumor, brushing it off and calling out Veronica for her behavior.
—Liza Esquibias, People.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Watkin recalled colleagues laughing at the situation and brushing her off, thinking that the kindergarten student was actually a third grader due to his size.
—IndyStar, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
Another, also built from white disks on a bending wire, evokes a mechanized Japanese cherry tree, its circles—perched high on a narrow stem—not revolving so much as brushing quickly past one another.
—Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
The second verse is no less random, with lyrics about moonwalking on a UFO, dropping bars while brushing teeth and a shout out to legendary 2001 blaxploitation-adjacent comedy Pootie Tang.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 12 Sep. 2025
Because violence in America is as natural to many of us as cooking our food or brushing our teeth.
—Kevin Powell, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
Aveda Brilliant Damage Control helps protect hair from the everyday hazards of brushing, blow-drying, and beyond.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 10 Sep. 2025
After brushing off the sand and retiring our flip-flops, getting dressed suddenly feels intentional again — and effort feels exciting.
—Brooke Devard Ozaydinli, Refinery29, 10 Sep. 2025
To help avoid tonsil stones, maintain your oral hygiene by brushing, flossing, and visiting the dentist regularly.
—Mark Gurarie, Health, 4 Sep. 2025
Later, Teegan and Ethan reacted to the rumor, brushing it off and calling out Veronica for her behavior.
—Liza Esquibias, People.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Watkin recalled colleagues laughing at the situation and brushing her off, thinking that the kindergarten student was actually a third grader due to his size.
—IndyStar, 3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Brushing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brushing. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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