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.
His attempts to strike out independently and build his own house fail spectacularly—the first in a storm of lightning and winged ants, the second in a foolhardy scheme to clear the surrounding brush with fire.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 10, 2026
If this had been the first indication that Platner had a reckless streak, I would have been more inclined to brush it off.
From Slate • Jun. 2, 2026
She had her first brush with show business in 1944, while working in a factory, when a photographer arrived to capture photos of women working on production lines during World War II.
From Barron's • Jun. 1, 2026
A brush fire had been reported in the Juniper Springs neighborhood of Riverside County at 12:20 p.m. that day, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2026
These were not the large timber wolves but the smaller northern brush wolves, perhaps weighing forty or fifty pounds each, about as large as most of my team.
From "Woodsong" by Gary Paulsen
Vocabulary lists containing brush
Unit 3: Compelling Evidence
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Units 2–3
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Neighborhood Odes
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