BRUSH (OFF) Synonyms: 83 Similar and Opposite Words

brush (off) 1 of 2

verb

Definition of brush (off)

as in to shrug off

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

brush-off

2 of 2

noun

ˈbrəsh-ˌȯf

as in dismissal

treatment that is deliberately unfriendly the mayor tends to give anyone under voting age the brush-off

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 (off)

Noun

That brush-off on top of Chris somehow edging her out of the Olympic team so that Tunde wound up as an alternate was too much not to go nuclear. — Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2025 Some interpreted the moment as a blatant brush-off; however, others pointed out that Brigitte, 72, could simply have been focused on keeping her balance on the airplane steps or preparing herself to greet the Prince and Princess of Wales. — Meredith Kile, People.com, 8 July 2025 But our findings suggest that the mere inclusion of abbreviations, although seemingly benign, start feeling like a brush-off. — David Fang, The Conversation, 9 Apr. 2025 Alumi-Blast is an apt name for this low sheen coating that looks realistically like cast aluminum that has received a light brush-off abrasive blast at the factory. — Roy Berendsohn, Popular Mechanics, 26 June 2023 See All Example Sentences for brush (off)

Recent Examples of Synonyms for brush (off)

Verb

Barclays strategists argue the market could even shrug off a one percentage point rise in rates.

— Daren Fonda, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026
The president has sought to shrug off concerns about affordability, claiming the economy is booming.

— Melissa Goldin, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of shrug off

Noun

From 2022 through 2025, 68 percent of Manhattan’s counterfeiting cases ended in adjournments in contemplation of dismissal (ACDs), compared with 17 percent of other Manhattan misdemeanor cases.

— Daniel Edward Rosen, Washington Post, 8 Oct. 2026
When a dismissal order and the driving record contradict each other, call the office that was supposed to transmit the update.

— Karen Koehler, Kansas City Star, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of dismissal

Verb

But Moscow has rejected a ceasefire, saying a comprehensive peace deal must be agreed rather than a temporary truce.

— HANNA ARHIROVA, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
The groups behind the #BlockTheMerger coalition, which had amassed more than 5,700 signatories from actors, filmmakers and industry workers opposed to the deal, filed a brief with the court urging Martínez-Olguín to reject the settlement.

— Todd Spangler, Variety, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of reject

Noun

Perhaps this accident of birth is connected to the subtle rebuff of modern life in Marcon’s films.

— Matthew McLean, Artforum, 22 Sep. 2026
The rebuff contributes to the future civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons, in which Rhaenyra battles her half-brother Aegon II (Tom Glynn-Carney) for the seat of power.

— Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 30 July 2026

Definition of rebuff

Verb

Tinubu was not criminally charged, and the case was dismissed with prejudice after the money was forfeited.

— Adrian Elimian, semafor.com, 8 Oct. 2026
After a Washtenaw County Court judge dismissed the suit, Shriver refiled the FOIA case in Michigan’s Court of Claims last month.

— Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of dismiss

Noun

In her rejection of stereotypically female fashion and her flair for the dramatic, Sanjak definitely would have fit in at Le Monocle.

— Gaby Iori October 7, Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2026
In April, Americans for Financial Reform’s Education Fund released a study stating that the bank’s mortgage rejection rates for minorities in Charlotte and North Carolina far outpaced those of white applicants.

— Chase Jordan October 7, Charlotte Observer, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of rejection

Verb

The investors among this small and scorned generation, now aged 45-61, are watching markets play out on their screens and constantly see the plot parallels with past cycles.

— Michael Santoli, CNBC, 22 Sep. 2026
On a fictional highway in 1958, a Cadillac became badly scorned by a little Nash Rambler.

— Jody Mamone, Hartford Courant, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of scorn

Noun

Crockett's ex-Dem colleague goes scorched earth after endorsement snub.

— , FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2026
As his son Charles recounts in Swan Song, when Diana considered calling off her wedding to Prince Charles after suffering various snubs from the heir to the throne, Count Spencer flatly rejected his youngest daughter’s idea.

— Diego Parrado, Vanity Fair, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of snub

Browse Nearby Words

brushing (off)

brush (off)

brush-off

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Brush (off).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brush%20%28off%29. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of brush (off)

verb

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

inscrutable

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes