brush 1 of 3

noun

Definition of brushnext
as in encounter
a brief clash between enemies or rivals the two advance parties had a brush, but no one was wounded

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brush

2 of 3

verb (1)

as in to flow
to move or proceed smoothly and readily a pop star brushing past a crowd of autograph seekers

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

brush

3 of 3

verb (2)

as in to kiss
to pass lightly across or touch gently especially in passing spiderwebs brushed her cheek as she walked through the basement

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of brush
Noun
Apply a bit of her brand’s Concealer Pen to the lips, swipe on the lipstick, then clean up the edges with a brush. — Kiana Murden, Vogue, 6 Oct. 2026 Sacramento Fire officials said brush and vegetation are typically at their driest this time of year. — Brady Halbleib, CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026
Verb
Capricorn December 22 – January 19 A professional question may brush against something more personal today. — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 29 Sep. 2026 This hotel’s raw concrete and brushed stainless steel are punctuated by pieces from Verner Panton, Tommaso Barbi, and Florian Schulz and, more surprisingly, antique castle doors. — Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for brush
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brush
  1. encounter
  2. flow
  3. kiss
  4. glide
  5. shave
  6. drift
  7. touch
  8. sweep
Noun
  • Chivayo was a close ally of Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa and often posted pictures of encounters, including dinners, with heads of state from across Africa.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2026
  • But the work’s critics also appeal to its past; actual encounter is informed by historical circumstances, which means looking back.
    — Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of encounter
Verb
  • While sentiment is positive and the cash is flowing, this is a good thing.
    — Yerbol Orynbayev, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2026
  • In winter, several migratory duck species spend the season on its clear-flowing creeks and ponds, including beaver ponds.
    — Charles Seabrook, AJC.com, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of flow
Verb
  • That’s because the acting Oscar races are really more akin to a political campaign that involves millions of dollars, months of meet-and-greets and kissing metaphorical babies, and dozens of screenings and press appearances.
    — Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The impression is of a raucous house party—one in which secrets are spilled, kisses are stolen, and everyone drinks far too much.
    — Zing Tsjeng, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of kiss
Verb
  • Start with clean skin and apply moisturizer or oil so your fingers glide.
    — Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Take the account of a giant, gentle whale shark gliding through the blue waters off the Southern California coast.
    — Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of glide
Verb
  • Judge Underhill could have added to the 10 years of incarceration that the federal sentencing guidelines recommend but instead departed downward from them and shaved three years off them.
    — Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 3 Oct. 2026
  • The option could be useful when customers don’t have enough miles for the entire ticket and are looking to shave some cash off the ticket price.
    — Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of shave
Verb
  • Adults, Yoshida says, drift away from a child’s heart as their perspective rises, and end up depicting their idea of what a child should be.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 1 Oct. 2026
  • In my experience, many corporate teams drift between sympathetic over-activation (burnout) and dorsal shutdown (disengagement).
    — Roy Ward, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of drift
Verb
  • Norma Mitchell, cofounder of the business and grandmother of its current top executives, died of the disease, and many other family members, employees and customers have been touched by it.
    — Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Consequently, international gold prices experienced downward pressure, briefly touching their lowest level since August 5th during intraday trading.
    — , CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of touch
Verb
  • With sweltering heat still lingering over Southern California, many social media users have started capturing an adorable phenomenon sweeping across the region's squirrel population — splooting.
    — Hunter Sowards, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Where does this leave pop prince Harry Styles, who swept at his last Grammys with Harry’s House?
    — Jaeden Pinder, Rolling Stone, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of sweep

Phrases Containing brush

Browse Nearby Words

brunts
brush
brush (aside or off)
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Cite this Entry

“Brush.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brush. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on brush

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about brush

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