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:
More than 900 firefighters were tackling the blaze, using fire engines, helicopters and bulldozers, in an effort to clear the tinder-dry brush.
From Barron's ● Aug. 24, 2026
And is he financially literate, or does he need to brush up on the basics, too?
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 21, 2026
The cargo is typically loaded into box trucks, or hidden in nearby brush until the trucks arrive.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 19, 2026
But he ultimately answers to the country’s autocratic supreme leader, who can afford to brush off at least some amount of public unhappiness.
From Slate ● Aug. 17, 2026
He felt Wolf’s breath on his face; then the downy brush of the cub’s whiskers on his eyelids, and the needle-fine grooming-nibbles on his cheeks and throat.
From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver
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
When we wonder about his Ukrainian surname, he brushes that off as irrelevant.
From BBC ● Aug. 20, 2026
"Cytology brushes can be used when dry and do an excellent job of harvesting cellular material without damaging the integrity of the artifact being sampled," says Breen.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 11, 2026
Still, it only brushes the surface of an exhibition that seamlessly draws upon a plethora of works crafted across U.S. history.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 10, 2026
Isobel places the box upon the table and brushes a thick layer of dust off the top, though much of it still sticks to the knotted ribbons.
From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern
"We don't want anything brushed under the carpet."
From BBC ● Aug. 25, 2026
One theory is that officers initially assumed it was just another episode and brushed it off.
From Slate ● Aug. 11, 2026
The smell hits first, garlic and char on skewered meat, chiles brushed over buns, oyster sauce mingling with the syrupy edge of black vinegar on sizzling noodles.
From Salon ● Aug. 9, 2026
Major wireless executives have brushed off Starlink’s threat to their businesses, but SpaceX’s latest commentary has investors worried anew.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 5, 2026
Quietly, Renn retrieved the bows and brushed off the wet.
From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver
Ten tackles a game last season became as routine as brushing his teeth.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 17, 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
These included repeated brushing, chewing forces, and contact with acidic foods that can gradually dissolve enamel.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 23, 2026
“I saw it when I was brushing my teeth before bed, and it surprised me so much I accidentally spit toothpaste at the mirror!” she’d laughed.
From "The School for Whatnots" by Margaret Peterson Haddix
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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