as in flowing
to move or proceed smoothly and readily
a pop star brushing past a crowd of autograph seekers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Catharine Malzahn, Glamour, 18 Mar. 2026
Turning off the tap while brushing your teeth can save more than 4 gallons of water.
—Claire Osborn, Austin American Statesman, 17 Mar. 2026
This includes activities like brushing your hair, reaching for objects on shelves or playing certain sports.
—NBC news, 11 Mar. 2026
After each dangerous sequence, however, the singer is shown casually brushing himself off and returning to set, while the stunt performers who executed the risky scenes appear bruised and dusty as filming wraps.
—ABC News, 7 Mar. 2026
Freeny absorbed the impact like Marvin Hagler, hardly flinching and brushing it off.
—Haley Sawyer, Oc Register, 6 Mar. 2026
The project will fully rebuild Touhy Avenue between Elmhurst and Mount Prospect roads in Elk Grove Village, unincorporated Elk Grove Township, and Des Plaines, and brushing against the northern edge of Chicago's O'Hare International Airport.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026
Frame sleep like other daily health habits such as brushing teeth and focusing on benefits kids can see, such as feeling and performing better, Sterni suggested.
—Lily Hautau, CNN Money, 5 Mar. 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
Verb
And after rubbing it in and brushing it through, this product leaves virtually no residue or gritty feeling.
—Catharine Malzahn, Glamour, 18 Mar. 2026
Turning off the tap while brushing your teeth can save more than 4 gallons of water.
—Claire Osborn, Austin American Statesman, 17 Mar. 2026
This includes activities like brushing your hair, reaching for objects on shelves or playing certain sports.
—NBC news, 11 Mar. 2026
After each dangerous sequence, however, the singer is shown casually brushing himself off and returning to set, while the stunt performers who executed the risky scenes appear bruised and dusty as filming wraps.
—ABC News, 7 Mar. 2026
Freeny absorbed the impact like Marvin Hagler, hardly flinching and brushing it off.
—Haley Sawyer, Oc Register, 6 Mar. 2026
The project will fully rebuild Touhy Avenue between Elmhurst and Mount Prospect roads in Elk Grove Village, unincorporated Elk Grove Township, and Des Plaines, and brushing against the northern edge of Chicago's O'Hare International Airport.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026
Frame sleep like other daily health habits such as brushing teeth and focusing on benefits kids can see, such as feeling and performing better, Sterni suggested.
—Lily Hautau, CNN Money, 5 Mar. 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
Cite this Entry
“Brushing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brushing. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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