"Brushes with" is a commonly used phrase to describe a close encounter or experience with something, usually something negative. However, there are several synonyms that can be used to convey a similar meaning. One such synonym is "near miss," which refers to a situation where something almost happened but didn't. Another option is "close call," which implies that a dangerous or risky situation was narrowly avoided. "Close shave" is a similar phrase that can be used in this context. Other alternatives include "experience with," "encounter with," or simply "deal with." Overall, there are several ways to express the idea of a close or dangerous interaction without using the phrase "brushes with".