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:
The firm also advised AMC Entertainment during the movie-theater chain’s near brush with bankruptcy during the height of Covid-19.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 28, 2026
It was easy to brush aside the question.
From Slate ● Oct. 28, 2026
Tina Bury, Employment and Social Security President, said: "The fuel allowance is quite a broad brush approach and obviously everyone's needs are different in this area."
From BBC ● Oct. 22, 2026
San Clemente Mayor Rick Loeffler said his city has been preparing ahead of fire season, deploying goats to chomp at brush on hillsides and ensuring a steady water supply is available for crews and helicopters.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 17, 2026
Anastasia had long hair and every night she tried to brush it, she had told Sam, one hundred strokes.
From "All About Sam" by Lois Lowry
The case marks the latest legal challenge for Peters, whose internet notoriety crossed into the mainstream after previous brushes with the law.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 22, 2026
Makenzy Beard discovered her talent for painting during the Covid lockdown after she decided to try out her mother's old paint brushes in the garden shed.
From BBC ● Oct. 12, 2026
While slim, Mamdani’s political biography is marked at key moments by brushes with big tech.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 23, 2026
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
She brushes my hair back from my forehead.
From "The Manifestor Prophecy" by Angie Thomas
"So I went to the doctors and they literally just brushed it off and were like, 'no, we don't think you've got PCOS'," she said.
From BBC ● Oct. 21, 2026
But almost in unison, they effectively brushed the worries aside, saying competition from higher-rate-seeking money is nothing new.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 14, 2026
U.S. stock futures extended gains and oil prices fell back below $100 a barrel in early European trade, as investors brushed off stubbornly elevated Treasury yields to push equities higher.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 6, 2026
And yet, Anderson’s “Resident Evil” has always been the butt of the joke, brushed off largely because his movies dared to be different when people wanted more of the same.
From Salon ● Sep. 23, 2026
Its rays passed above the clouds, and the clouds, in turn, brushed shadows onto the sleek surfaces of the iceberg and the surrounding water.
From "The Very, Very Far North" by Dan Bar-el
All 339 Olympic events: The next Olympics is still a couple years away, but it’s not too early to start brushing up on your knowledge of the Summer Games.
From Slate ● Oct. 9, 2026
Moments after Manchester City had put down their first heavyweight marker of the post-Pep Guardiola era by brushing aside Crystal Palace, he was asked live on TV how much he enjoyed the game.
From BBC ● Aug. 28, 2026
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
Lily is done with the foundation now, and has moved on to brushing a powder over my face.
From "How to Disappear Completely" by Ali Standish
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!
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a word