as in headache
something that is a source of irritation
even what seems to be a dream job usually turns out to have its fair share of rubs
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to wear
to damage or diminish by continued friction
the brake pads were rubbed away as a result of years of use
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to sand
to make smooth by friction
the furniture restorer rubbed the board perfectly smooth with sandpaper
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to polish
to make smooth or glossy usually by repeatedly applying surface pressure
the butler rubbed the silver tea set until it gleamed
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of rub
Matt Ortile, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 June 2026
Different from the previous Arlington location, this one focuses on giant chicken wings, tenders and sandwiches with 15 sauce and rub options.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 June 2026
H.d. Angel, Pitchfork, 16 June 2026
Use your fingers to rub the zest into the sugar (to express the oils).
—Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for rub
Noun
From a sophisticated suburban crowd to the Bobo’s of the right bank, every type of Parisian rubs shoulders with jet-setting guests in the convivial seventh-floor Art Deco brasserie meets cocktail bar, Le Tout-Paris.
—Matt Ortile, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 June 2026
Different from the previous Arlington location, this one focuses on giant chicken wings, tenders and sandwiches with 15 sauce and rub options.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 June 2026
Verb
Every texture is an independent agent with its own membrane in the mix; percussion rubs and scrapes against your attention, while mutating synth patches burble in the periphery.
—H.d. Angel, Pitchfork, 16 June 2026
Use your fingers to rub the zest into the sugar (to express the oils).
—Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for rub
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rub
Noun
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This first patient had fever, headaches, muscle pain, malaise, loss of appetite, diarrhea and abdominal pain, among other symptoms.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
16 June 2026
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Earlier this year, Patagonia sued a drag queen and environmental activist performing under the name Pattie Gonia in a trademark dispute, and the feud is quickly becoming a PR headache for the eco-friendly apparel brand.—
Phil Wahba,
Fortune,
15 June 2026
Verb
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Trudeau embraced the Southern California vibes and wore a green T-shirt with black shorts and a pair of dark sunglasses.—
Tracy Wright,
FOXNews.com,
16 June 2026
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When a group of six fans wearing white t-shirts with the pre-revolution flag emblazoned on the fronts tried to enter, they were stopped by a security staffer, who called over her supervisor.—
Henry Bushnell,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
Verb
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And suddenly the instinct is to sand down the edges, soften the messaging, and appeal to everyone.—
Rhett Power,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
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During a walk-through for reporters on Thursday, construction noises — particularly sanding and hammering — could be heard.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 June 2026
Verb
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Shoes must be polished, their brass must shine, and their uniforms must be clear of any stains or wrinkles.—
Kaicey Baylor,
CBS News,
17 June 2026
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The fabric is light, but the silhouette is polished—offering the kind of versatility a summer capsule wardrobe should be built on.—
Minty Mellon,
Vogue,
17 June 2026
Noun
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Until Hoxha's break with Nikita Khrushchev's USSR, after the abjuration of Stalinism, Sazan was in Soviet hands, a thorn in the side of the West, a base for 12 Whiskey-class submarines and of chemical-biological weapons plants.—
Marzio G. Mian,
Vanity Fair,
16 June 2026
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However, some homeowners may be wary of planting roses because of their heavy thorns—especially in households with children or pets.—
Samantha Johnson,
Martha Stewart,
15 June 2026
Verb
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The oil supply shock caused by the Iran war has eroded global demand for crude — but a lasting resolution to the conflict could drive a surge in supply volumes and trigger a major oil overhang next year, the International Energy Agency said on Wednesday.—
Hugh Leask,
CNBC,
17 June 2026
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As retailers race to modernize their stores, a new report from Coresight Research reveals a rapidly shifting business landscape beneath their feet, where inefficiencies are eroding profits.—
Arthur Zaczkiewicz,
Footwear News,
17 June 2026
Verb
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That ability, according to a white paper by one of the manufacturers, is possible through technology that allows an agent to communicate with the drone and substitute themselves as the operator, take it over and ground it.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
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The Food Processor quickly chops, slices, and shreds a wide array of ingredients for unlimited culinary creations, while the Coffee & Spice Grinder efficiently grinds coffee beans, spices, and herbs for superior flavor and potency.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 June 2026
Verb
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The suit also includes smoothing cups and ruching that prevents lines from showing through.—
Nicol Natale,
PEOPLE,
15 June 2026
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Parents and beauty enthusiasts alike praise its ability to smooth stubborn bumps and improve skin texture.—
Cheryl Fenton,
Parents,
14 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rub.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rub. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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