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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
The brand describes the formula as peroxide-free and positions the 460 nm visible blue light, PAP toothpaste and light-guiding brush head as one whitening system used during brushing. — Advertorial, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2026 No matter how to brush teeth properly, bristles can’t reach the tight spaces between teeth where plaque builds up. — Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 7 Oct. 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
  • Instead, the ensuing spree sputters from one encounter to the next, leaving you with a choppy number that should go bigger and end sooner.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 8 Oct. 2026
  • But by then, media have already described the encounter as an ejection.
    — Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of encounter
Verb
  • Despite steady attacks from Iran, oil tankers and other commercial vessels have continued flowing through the narrow waterway.
    — Jason Ma, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Charles Jencks, the late American cultural theorist and a famously exacting critic, saw in its flowing forms both sensuality and an important new direction for architecture.
    — Robb Report, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of flow
Verb
  • While the imagery around the show was overtly erotic, from the footage of mating snails and kissing bodies to the music and the projections, the clothes themselves were less about baring skin than creating a sense of sensuality.
    — Amy Francombe, Vogue, 9 Oct. 2026
  • According to Miltenberg, Doe kissed his client first and did not see her drinking alcohol or doing drugs.
    — Michael Ruiz , Bryan Llenas, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of kiss
Verb
  • His camera glides around rooms and pans at opportune moments to maximize the power of offscreen space.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Arrive to the hotel by boat from the train station or airport and glide up an empty canal to the water entrance where a grand, rosy Gothic building rises out of the water.
    — Mary Holland, Robb Report, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of glide
Verb
  • Especially right now, since Amazon just shaved 25% off for the Prime Day afterparty.
    — Kelsey Fogarty, PC Magazine, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Apparently, Tony Romo shaved two strokes off his final round scorecard.
    — Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of shave
Verb
  • But like many figures in Silicon Valley, his politics appeared to drift to the right during Biden’s presidency.
    — Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Stewart complained about the chain’s merchandising and quality control, and Kmart was drifting toward financial trouble.
    — Fernanda Tronco, Fortune, 8 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 14 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on brush

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about brush

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