brushed aside

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "brushed aside" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe how one person or group has dismissed the importance of another person or group. For example, "The mayor brushed aside the protesters' concerns about the new law."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He brushed aside those suggestions.

The New York Times

They were brushed aside.

The Guardian

Republicans brushed aside those concerns.

The Washington Post

The remark is brushed aside.

The Guardian - Travel

India were simply brushed aside.

The Guardian - Sport

The remark is brushed aside.

The Guardian - Travel

She brushed aside comparisons to CityTime.

The New York Times

White House officials brushed aside the criticisms.

The New York Times

Sokolovas brushed aside my question.

The New York Times - Sports

But it was brushed aside.

The Guardian - Opinion

Contradictory evidence is brushed aside.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "brushed aside" when you want to convey a sense of dismissal or lack of serious consideration given to something, often despite its potential importance.

Common error

While "brushed aside" is generally acceptable, avoid overuse in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and nuanced vocabulary like "disregarded" or "dismissed" when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "brushed aside" functions as a phrasal verb, typically used transitively. It signifies the act of dismissing or disregarding something or someone, often implying a lack of serious consideration. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

10%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrasal verb "brushed aside" is a common and grammatically sound way to express the dismissal or disregard of something. As Ludwig AI states, it is correct and usable in written English. With numerous examples from reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, its usage is widespread across news, academic, and even scientific contexts. While generally neutral in register, it's crucial to consider context and opt for more formal alternatives like "disregarded" in highly academic settings. Remember that effective writing involves not just correctness, but also appropriateness and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disregarded

Implies a conscious decision to ignore something.

dismissed

Single word replacement, simpler and less emphatic.

ignored

Similar to disregarded, but can also imply a lack of awareness.

overlooked

Suggests a failure to notice or consider something important.

waved away

More casual and dismissive, implying a quick rejection.

rejected

Indicates a more forceful refusal or dismissal.

paid no attention to

More verbose, but emphasizes the lack of attention given.

discredited

Suggests that something has been proven false or unreliable.

took no notice of

Similar to 'paid no attention to', but slightly more formal.

swept under the rug

Implies an attempt to conceal or hide something.

FAQs

How to use "brushed aside" in a sentence?

You can use "brushed aside" to indicate that someone has dismissed or ignored something, for example: "The committee "brushed aside" the concerns raised by the community members."

What can I say instead of "brushed aside"?

You can use alternatives like "dismissed", "disregarded", or "ignored" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "brushed aside" or "swept aside"?

Both ""brushed aside"" and "swept aside" are correct, but "swept aside" often implies a more forceful or complete removal or dismissal.

What's the difference between "brushed aside" and "overlooked"?

"Brushed aside" suggests a deliberate act of ignoring or dismissing something, while "overlooked" implies a failure to notice or consider something, often unintentionally.