as in flowing
to move or proceed smoothly and readily
a pop star brushing past a crowd of autograph seekers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in kissing
to pass lightly across or touch gently especially in passing
spiderwebs brushed her cheek as she walked through the basement
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of brushing
Mark Gurarie, Health, 4 Sep. 2025
Later, Teegan and Ethan reacted to the rumor, brushing it off and calling out Veronica for her behavior.
—Liza Esquibias, People.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Watkin recalled colleagues laughing at the situation and brushing her off, thinking that the kindergarten student was actually a third grader due to his size.
—IndyStar, 3 Sep. 2025
Starting on the lowest setting allows your gums and teeth to adjust to brushing with a Sonicare toothbrush.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 29 Aug. 2025
Vance praised the president’s energy and stamina, brushing off concerns about his age after the White House disclosed Trump had been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, a common vein condition.
—Priya Kaur, USA Today, 29 Aug. 2025
In another part of the video, Hunter appears on camera brushing his teeth.
—Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Aug. 2025
Conversely, not brushing your teeth would be a dental disaster, and no one should choose not to fill a cavity.
—Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 25 Aug. 2025
Good dental hygiene involves brushing twice a day and flossing between teeth once a day, advises the American Dental Association (ADA).
—Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 21 Aug. 2025
Verb
To help avoid tonsil stones, maintain your oral hygiene by brushing, flossing, and visiting the dentist regularly.
—Mark Gurarie, Health, 4 Sep. 2025
Later, Teegan and Ethan reacted to the rumor, brushing it off and calling out Veronica for her behavior.
—Liza Esquibias, People.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Watkin recalled colleagues laughing at the situation and brushing her off, thinking that the kindergarten student was actually a third grader due to his size.
—IndyStar, 3 Sep. 2025
Starting on the lowest setting allows your gums and teeth to adjust to brushing with a Sonicare toothbrush.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 29 Aug. 2025
Vance praised the president’s energy and stamina, brushing off concerns about his age after the White House disclosed Trump had been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, a common vein condition.
—Priya Kaur, USA Today, 29 Aug. 2025
In another part of the video, Hunter appears on camera brushing his teeth.
—Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Aug. 2025
Conversely, not brushing your teeth would be a dental disaster, and no one should choose not to fill a cavity.
—Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 25 Aug. 2025
Good dental hygiene involves brushing twice a day and flossing between teeth once a day, advises the American Dental Association (ADA).
—Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 21 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Brushing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brushing. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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