brush
Usage
What are other ways to say brush?
A brush is a brief encounter or skirmish: a brush with the law. Struggle implies vigorous bodily effort or violent exertion: a hand-to-hand struggle. Clash implies a direct and sharp collision between opposing parties, efforts, interests, etc.: a clash of opinions.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Both books inevitably brush against today’s argument over the American founding.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 4, 2026
It tars everyone with the same brush, regardless of the facts.
From BBC ● Sep. 3, 2026
Although they premiered more than 20 years apart, the television shows “Bluey” and “South Park” have been tarred with the “millennial” brush.
From Salon ● Aug. 30, 2026
"She continued to paint until her final days, never setting aside her brush, and continued exploration of forever love and eternal soul," it added.
From Barron's ● Aug. 27, 2026
He came buzzing around in the brush and then dropped down in the hole.
From "Summer of the Monkeys" by Wilson Rawls
After so long on the road, driving past despair dotted along the road’s shoulders, Day brushes off a cry for help with a joke.
From Salon ● Aug. 24, 2026
After collecting the cells, the team removes the material from the brushes and uses forensic-level, next-generation sequencing technologies to isolate and amplify genetic sequences.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 11, 2026
Daniele Garner brushes a yak at the Pettee Ranch.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 8, 2026
Speaking from their home in Tuscaloosa, Ala., apart from Weaver, Allman brushes off such criticism.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 28, 2026
Although the water had been turned off, Miss Lilian’s soaps and shampoos, her combs and brushes and towels, lay where she’d left them, dusty and cobwebbed but still usable.
From "The Old Willis Place" by Mary Downing Hahn
The 21-year-old, who was in her first year at Cardiff University, believed her sore throat and flu-like symptoms were a hangover and initially "brushed it off".
From BBC ● Sep. 5, 2026
They admired one another from afar, brushed shoulders only in passing, and, in some ways, represented opposing ways of challenging the limits placed on women in indie rock.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 3, 2026
Hawaii is still recovering from the impacts of Hurricane Lala, which brushed past the southern part of the Big Island last month, bringing destructive winds and severe flash floods.
From Barron's ● Sep. 2, 2026
Despite the drama that has ensued since trade talks between the U.S. and its northern neighbor collapsed last Friday, bank CEOs brushed off the potential fallout during earnings calls this week.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 28, 2026
“All right, then,” Daddy said as he stood up, brushed off his pants that weren’t dirty, and turned around so we were both facing home.
From "Ida B" by Katherine Hannigan
Ten tackles a game last season became as routine as brushing his teeth.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 17, 2026
You can also practise standing on one leg, for example while brushing your teeth.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 16, 2026
After initially brushing off LLMs, DeepMind was developing its own chatbots.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 15, 2026
Among the more effective preventive measures owners can take to protect dogs as they age is regular brushing.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 30, 2026
“It’s so hot,” Nhamo sighed, brushing away mopane flies as she worked on the boat.
From "A Girl Named Disaster" by Nancy Farmer
Vocabulary lists containing brush
Unit 3: Compelling Evidence
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Units 2–3
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Neighborhood Odes
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
