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
Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Oct. 2025
One deputy applies a sternum rub and checks for a pulse, but does not find one, according to court documents.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 3 Oct. 2025
Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 23 Oct. 2025
Dennis took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes as Lenamon spoke about the abuse.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rub
Noun
These include wanting to be near you, keeping eye contact, following you everywhere, and showing affection through cuddles or face rubs.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Oct. 2025
One deputy applies a sternum rub and checks for a pulse, but does not find one, according to court documents.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
Place them in a medium to large bowl of water and gently rub the seeds from the membranes.
—Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 23 Oct. 2025
Dennis took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes as Lenamon spoke about the abuse.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rub
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rub
Noun
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Regardless of the scheduling headache, there's still no indication the funding bill would pass, unless Republicans and Democrats can strike a deal on health care.—
Zac Anderson,
USA Today,
22 Oct. 2025
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In the year before his death, Thomas had been struggling with his mental health, as well as daily headaches and memory loss, his parents said at the time.—
Natasha Dye,
PEOPLE,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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That’s the estimate for Coppola’s unique watch, which the Godfather director wore at the Cannes premiere of Megalopolis.—
Jack Smart,
PEOPLE,
24 Oct. 2025
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Crews wear thermal base layers, overalls, and analog spacesuits when working outdoors.—
Rosanna Philpott,
CNN Money,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Additional changes in the new beach include a stabilizing stone wall, dry prairie grasses to deter birds and sand with larger grain size.—
Maia Pandey,
jsonline.com,
19 Sep. 2025
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Reiss’ script was a Black List find that either wasn’t reworked enough by committee or so sanded down in the studio churn that all personality was drained in the process.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Most recently, Alverson has also dipped his toe into advising sorority hopefuls as a rush coach — part of an emerging market for girls looking to polish up their image before heading off to college.—
Tabitha Parent,
PEOPLE,
24 Oct. 2025
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Its software ecosystem is polished, and its hardware is mature.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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To eat the nopales, remove the spines (spikes, thorns, or barbs) and use them raw in salads or cooked in soups or tacos.—
Barbie Cervoni,
Verywell Health,
22 Oct. 2025
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What fantastic fantasies will lure risk-seeking treasure hunters to breach the massive walls of iron thorns surrounding mysterious radioactive caverns buried deep in the deserts?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Attendees were given 3 minutes to speak, same as in the commissioners court, and primarily spoke about jail deaths and the freedom of speech being eroded.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
22 Oct. 2025
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Even as streaming has eroded the ranks of linear viewers in primetime, sports has built new bulwarks.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Worcestershire, dry mustard, and ground red pepper combine with your go-to cheese, for a foolproof party snack.—
Mary Alice Russell,
Southern Living,
22 Oct. 2025
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Teflon’s nonstick, nonreactive characteristics hinge on its immensely strong carbon-fluorine bonds, but the ball mill can break these bonds apart by grinding them with the sodium metal.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The second photo was noticeably different from the first, instead showing a recent image of heavy machinery smoothing gravel where lush green grass once grew.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
24 Oct. 2025
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Want to smooth your hair without the heat tools?—
Lily Wohlner,
Allure,
22 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rub.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rub. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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