brushing (off)

Definition of brushing (off)next
present participle of brush (off)

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for brushing (off)
Verb
  • Both gave way to Phoenix’s limitless fourth-quarter responses, shrugging off Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren’s late shot-making, as well as the Thunder’s late turn to small ball.
    Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
  • And some Republicans are shrugging off any one issue as being influential enough to tip the scales.
    ABC News, ABC News, 3 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Confidence can tip into defensiveness, so your challenge has a lot to do with asserting boundaries without emotional withdrawal and honoring your needs without dismissing others.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 5 Jan. 2026
  • The president spoke little about democracy in Venezuela, dismissing a potential role for its longstanding democratic opposition in running the country in the immediate aftermath of the operation.
    Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • But a jury apparently disagreed, convicting Amiri of a civil rights violation that relied heavily on Manly-Williams’ testimony and rejecting all other charges, including conspiracy to violate civil rights.
    Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 12 Jan. 2026
  • Talarico represents the Democrats who believe that winning is possible by rejecting rather than emulating the president’s least flattering qualities.
    Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 12 Jan. 2026
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Cite this Entry

“Brushing (off).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brushing%20%28off%29. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.

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