as in dismissal
treatment that is deliberately unfriendly
the mayor tends to give anyone under voting age the brush-off
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to shrug off
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Recent Examples of brush (off)
David Browne, Rolling Stone, 26 Oct. 2025
That brush-off on top of Chris somehow edging her out of the Olympic team so that Tunde wound up as an alternate was too much not to go nuclear.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2025
Initially, Makua gave Momoa's offer a polite brush-off.
—Janee Bolden, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025
Some interpreted the moment as a blatant brush-off; however, others pointed out that Brigitte, 72, could simply have been focused on keeping her balance on the airplane steps or preparing herself to greet the Prince and Princess of Wales.
—Meredith Kile, People.com, 8 July 2025
But our findings suggest that the mere inclusion of abbreviations, although seemingly benign, start feeling like a brush-off.
—David Fang, The Conversation, 9 Apr. 2025
But there are now pressing concerns over whether Trump will pull the U.S. from the alliance as part of his broader brush-off of America's allies—and whether the remaining nations of the Five Eyes could survive it.
—Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025
Alumi-Blast is an apt name for this low sheen coating that looks realistically like cast aluminum that has received a light brush-off abrasive blast at the factory.
—Roy Berendsohn, Popular Mechanics, 26 June 2023
Verb
But his subtle brush-off of Collins is a sign of the cocky and brash kid already beginning to emerge — the same one who could cut down people down to size on his way to redefining himself and jolting both the New York folk scene and the world of pop at large.
—David Browne, Rolling Stone, 26 Oct. 2025
That brush-off on top of Chris somehow edging her out of the Olympic team so that Tunde wound up as an alternate was too much not to go nuclear.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2025
Initially, Makua gave Momoa's offer a polite brush-off.
—Janee Bolden, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025
Some interpreted the moment as a blatant brush-off; however, others pointed out that Brigitte, 72, could simply have been focused on keeping her balance on the airplane steps or preparing herself to greet the Prince and Princess of Wales.
—Meredith Kile, People.com, 8 July 2025
But our findings suggest that the mere inclusion of abbreviations, although seemingly benign, start feeling like a brush-off.
—David Fang, The Conversation, 9 Apr. 2025
But there are now pressing concerns over whether Trump will pull the U.S. from the alliance as part of his broader brush-off of America's allies—and whether the remaining nations of the Five Eyes could survive it.
—Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025
Alumi-Blast is an apt name for this low sheen coating that looks realistically like cast aluminum that has received a light brush-off abrasive blast at the factory.
—Roy Berendsohn, Popular Mechanics, 26 June 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brush (off)
Noun
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Miller said his clients believe that this additional context and other policy changes at Indiana Medicaid will address the judge's concerns that anchored her dismissal.—
Kayla Dwyer,
IndyStar,
24 Oct. 2025
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Karen Scham — the resident who originally petitioned to remove the books — was also in attendance, urging Lewin-Lane’s dismissal.—
Adrienne Davis,
jsonline.com,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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New York — The stock market rally has already defied expectations this year, shrugging off geopolitical strife, economic uncertainty and global trade tensions to reach fresh record highs.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
27 Oct. 2025
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The Warriors took down the Nuggets, 137-131, on Thursday, clawing their way back from a 14-point crater, surviving a 50-point explosion from San Jose’s Aaron Gordon, and somehow shrugging off yet another triple-double from Jokic.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The matter-of-fact rebuff feels very French, very Oklou.—
Anna Gaca,
Pitchfork,
1 Oct. 2025
-
There was a unilateral rebuff toward the idea that the industry is experiencing a drummer shortage in general.—
Devon Ivie,
Vulture,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Moore’s journey reveals how Black Nationalism emerged not simply as a rejection of American ideals, but as a demand for their true fulfillment.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Trump imposed fresh sanctions on Russia's two largest oil companies—Rosneft and Lukoil—for its rejection of a ceasefire, applying extra economic pressure on the Kremlin to make peace in Ukraine.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Boseman's masterful portrayal earned him plenty of critical acclaim, and his lack of an Oscar nomination was considered one of the biggest snubs of the following year.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
PEOPLE,
24 Oct. 2025
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There’s a particular kind of Oscar-season tragedy that has nothing to do with surprise snubs.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
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At that meeting, Buchanan's reappointment to a full five-year term on the housing authority's board was rejected in a 6-2 decision, with two city directors absent.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
23 Oct. 2025
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Scholtes rejected a second-degree murder plea deal in March 2025 that would have resulted in a sentence of 10 to 25 years, according to previous reporting by The Arizona Republic.—
Jose R. Gonzalez,
AZCentral.com,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Venables was dismissed early in the next campaign following three straight defeats, but Lineker went on to net another 20 times that season, helping win the Copa del Rey under Luis Aragones.—
Dermot Corrigan,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
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Court rules don't allow plaintiffs to submit additional evidence to counter a motion to dismiss, Alex said.—
Paul Egan,
Freep.com,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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It’s scorned Donald, who saw that scoundrel Lee leaving his mistress’s house this morning.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
15 Oct. 2025
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Hell hath no fury like… an ex scorned?—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
13 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Brush (off).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brush%20%28off%29. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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