airbrush

plural airbrushes · alternative air brush · alternative air-brush

1. A miniature, handheld paint sprayer, powered by compressed air or other gas, used for delicate, artistic painting, or sometimes retouching of photographs.

present singular third person airbrushes · participle present airbrushing · participle past airbrushed · past airbrushed · alternative air brush · alternative air-brush

1. To paint using an airbrush.
2. To touch up or enhance a photograph or person, often with intent to mislead.

   This photo has definitely been airbrushed; no one has skin this smooth.

   Synonyms: photoshop, doctor

3. broadlyfigurativelyTo edit or alter something in order to make it appear better.

   They'd spent one evening together sixteen months ago, and Falk was acutely aware that he'd probably airbrushed and edited at least some of it without meaning to.

   2022, Jane Harper, Exiles, page 287