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.
A squirt of dish soap, a cup of hot water, a few pulses, a quick brush.
From Salon • Apr. 21, 2026
Historic freezes in 1894 and 1895 nearly eradicated the industry, its first and last real brush with old-world calamity.
From Slate • Apr. 20, 2026
“Trust in institutions is waning, and that’s not a problem we can brush aside. For higher education to serve the public good, we need the public’s trust.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 19, 2026
The once-famous dark mane has gone white and is neatly cropped and the bushy mustache is now just a brush of hair below his nose.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 12, 2026
She bent forward to scan the shelves, causing the blue beads of her long, dangling earrings to brush the sides of her face.
From "Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher" by Bruce Coville
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!
