as in ignoring
to dismiss as of little importance
brushed off their complaints as the whining of people who were never satisfied
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brushing (aside or off)
Verb
-
Some designers find success ignoring social media altogether.—
Rachel Tashjian,
CNN Money,
3 Mar. 2026 -
But there was no ignoring the visuals that made their way out.—
Lily Moayeri,
Rolling Stone,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Not everyone who heard Woodruff speak was as forgiving as Walker.—
Jennifer Gonnerman,
New Yorker,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Few plants are as forgiving as pothos.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
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On the same floor, Tea Lounge Kafu is a serene tearoom overlooking the bamboo atrium, with seasonally changing scroll art in its tokonoma alcove.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
27 Feb. 2026
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The full-floor primary suite has boutique-quality closets and a white marble spa bath, plus an office with quality custom millwork overlooking Mohawk Street.—
Lauryn Azu,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The software simulates wind passing over the avatar, computational fluid dynamics calculate how much resistance there is — and how tweaking a skater’s form alters that.—
Howard Fendrich,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Alarmists will often focus on the negative while passing over potential positive outcomes.—
Jeff Mayhugh,
Washington Post,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Jupiter in your 3rd House of Discourse backs you up, so a thoughtful chat with a teammate can rally useful support by explaining who does what.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Mar. 2026
-
This article is part of a series explaining foreign policy terms commonly used but rarely explained.—
Andrew Latham,
The Conversation,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Yet the money manager remains hopeful that fiscal stimulus — more government spending coupled with consumer and business tax breaks — from last year's One Big Beautiful Bill will start to take effect in a few months, papering over any nascent economic weakness.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
20 Feb. 2026
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If lawmakers are serious about affordability and homeownership, this is the structural reform that actually solves the problem rather than papering over it.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Brushing (aside or off).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brushing%20%28aside%20or%20off%29. Accessed 6 Mar. 2026.
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