brush 1 of 3

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)

brush

3 of 3

verb (2)

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
Fill a bowl with water and detergent and swirl the brushes through it like a paintbrush, or place a small amount of detergent in your palm and work the damp brush into it. Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 May 2026 Thick brush screened us, and the shot was an easy one. Ben East, Outdoor Life, 14 May 2026
Verb
Designed in polka-dot and plaid patterns, the scrunchies mimic the shell of the two claw clips, while the flat-lay clip is available in a clean, brushed silver shade. Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 13 May 2026 According to the lawsuit, Youngblood notified her supervisor, who brushed it off. Abigail Brooks, NBC news, 13 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for brush
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brush
Noun
  • In each encounter, Riley, a chill, hangdog figure with mutton chops and a spray of freckles, was soft-spoken and receptive, curious and unhurried, but also a little elusive when necessary, knowing when to drift away.
    Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 17 May 2026
  • Travelers who put their phones away report being more open to the kind of unplanned encounters that define memorable trips.
    Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 16 May 2026
Verb
  • For cocktails and nightlife, hit TopGolf or Nola’s for live music then end the night strong with a table at HQ nightclub where resident and guest DJs keep the dance floor bumping and bottle servers keep the bubbly and energy flowing.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 May 2026
  • Together, all of those developments deepened class and regional inequalities, as capital flowed away from workers in the industrial hinterland toward financial centers like New York.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 May 2026
Verb
  • Even with the windows open all the way, the heat is hugging us, kissing us, pinching our cheeks.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 May 2026
  • Do not kiss or snuggle backyard poultry, especially the chicks.
    DeJanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 18 May 2026
Verb
  • Mountain bikes must glide gracefully through all sorts of abusive terrain; road bikes need to mix high performance with enough comfort to let riders stay in the saddle for hours on end.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 15 May 2026
  • Celeste Ecoflyers’ aircraft design emphasizes gliding capability for safe landings even in engine failure, combining low weight with operational robustness.
    Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 14 May 2026
Verb
  • But drivers wouldn’t immediately see that full amount shaved off their bills under a suspension.
    Wyatte Grantham-Philips, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026
  • Ghia’s take on the XK140 was likely even faster, since its lightweight aluminum body—replacing the standard model’s steel shell—shaved as much as 220 pounds.
    Howard Walker, Robb Report, 13 May 2026
Verb
  • Order a bowl of seafood chowder or a hearty breakfast, then settle in by the windows overlooking Thomas Basin, where floatplanes and fishing boats drift past throughout the day.
    Josh Rivera, USA Today, 13 May 2026
  • Fifty years later, the Asian District runs about a mile long but feels like visiting a number of countries at once, as the smell of star anise and fish sauce drifting out of open doors alongside the sound of Spanish from a taqueria two storefronts down.
    Heide Brandes, Bon Appetit Magazine, 13 May 2026
Verb
  • Young and Elijah came to blows on the apron, knowing that as soon as their feet touch the ground, they would be eliminated.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2026
  • With data centers the size of dozens of football fields combined sprouting up around the country, residents have protested the construction of AI infrastructure, which McKinsey projected to touch $7 trillion in capital expenditures by 2030.
    Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 15 May 2026
Verb
  • Well, Brown needed a few more pitches this time, but the 26-year-old delivered a stellar performance to help the Cubs avoid getting swept at Truist Park.
    Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 15 May 2026
  • The Knicks, who swept the Philadelphia 76ers in the second round, would have homecourt advantage against Cleveland, which is 1-5 on the road in the playoffs, but not against Detroit, which dominated the Knicks in three games this season.
    Adam Zagoria, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026

Cite this Entry

“Brush.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brush. Accessed 20 May. 2026.

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