Synonyms of brush

brush 1 of 3

noun

as in encounter

a brief clash between enemies or rivals

the two advance parties had a brush, but no one was wounded

Synonyms & Similar Words

• encounter
• skirmish
• fight
• scrape
• run-in
• argument
• quarrel
• spat
• brawl
• battle
• hassle
• row
• tiff
• squabble
• wrangle
• fray

brush

2 of 3

verb (1)

as in to flow

to move or proceed smoothly and readily

a pop star brushing past a crowd of autograph seekers

Synonyms & Similar Words

• flow
• glide
• drift
• sweep
• slide
• sail
• slip
• stream
• coast
• breeze
• roll
• race
• fly
• cruise
• speed
• bowl
• skim
• whisk
• rush

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• struggle
• limp
• flounder
• stumble
• stamp
• lumber
• shuffle
• trudge
• plod
• stump
• tramp
• stomp
• labor
• toil
• shamble

brush

3 of 3

verb (2)

as in to kiss

to pass lightly across or touch gently especially in passing

spiderwebs brushed her cheek as she walked through the basement

Synonyms & Similar Words

• kiss
• shave
• touch
• skim
• nudge
• graze
• stroke
• caress
• pat
• scrape
• sweep
• bump
• miss
• contact
• swipe
• skip
• strike
• pet
• love
• cuddle
• rebound
• glance
• bounce
• sideswipe
• fondle
• ricochet
• skirt
• carom

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hit
• knock
• bump
• slap
• impact
• punch
• smack
• swipe
• smash
• bang
• clash
• slam
• ram
• collide
• whack
• impinge
• bash
• crash
• thud
• thwack

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of brush

Noun

Define the Cupid’s bow, lightly trace your natural lip shape, and use a fingertip or lip brush to buff the color inward for a soft, diffused blur. —Micaela English, Glamour, 30 Apr. 2026

Let the solution sit for a few minutes, scrub with a brush, and rinse thoroughly with clean water. —Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 29 Apr. 2026

Verb

Only use the bristle side of a broom to gently brush off the snow. —Jennifer McRae, CBS News, 6 May 2026

So, brush my teeth before games and everything else. —Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 6 May 2026

Phrases Containing brush

• brush (aside or off)