brushing off

VERB

ignore; refuse

Synonyms

WEAK

boycott cold-shoulder contradict cut deny disclaim dismiss disown disregard get rid of have no time for ostracize override rebuff reject repudiate scorn send away slight snub spurn sweep aside

Antonyms

WEAK

attend pay attention see

VERB

ignore

Synonyms

WEAK

boycott brush aside cold-shoulder contradict cut deny disclaim dismiss disown disregard ostracize override rebuff refuse reject repudiate scorn send away slight snub spurn sweep aside

Antonyms

WEAK

attend pay attention

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.

Investors are largely brushing off inflation worries and are focusing instead on earnings.

From Barron's • May 29, 2026

Meta and Google both vowed to appeal verdicts that were handed down by civil juries in Los Angeles County and Santa Fe, N.M., brushing off the losses as a bit of bad luck.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 28, 2026

“We as queer people need to check our messaging,” Tierney told The Hollywood Reporter following the incident, brushing off criticisms that the show is fetishizing the gay experience for women viewers.

From Salon • Jan. 2, 2026

“I don’t think it’ll ever change,” Gainer said, brushing off the suggestion that perhaps one day a robot could do his job.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 9, 2025

It unnerved her, how easy it had been to lie to Moody again, but she shook the feeling aside, as if she were brushing off cobwebs.

From "Little Fires Everywhere" by Celeste Ng