rub in

verb

rubbed in; rubbing in; rubs in

transitive verb

: to harp on (something unpleasant) : emphasize

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web When the stain is gone or lightened as much as possible, rinse the garment, rub in a bit more liquid laundry detergent and wash as usual. Lauren Smith Mcdonough, Good Housekeeping, 25 Jan. 2023 One female employee told The Oregonian/OregonLive that Golub gave her an unwanted shoulder rub in the office in 2018. oregonlive, 7 Oct. 2022 The Hanni shaving system is simple: Swipe the gel stick on the skin, rub in the formula, and then glide the razor. Gabi Thorne, Allure, 27 May 2021 An annual scrape is like a signpost rub in that the same spot is used year after year. Hal Blood, Outdoor Life, 10 Nov. 2020 Then, rub in liquid detergent and wash in hot water. Noma Nazish, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2022 As a sunscreen, this stuff is top-notch—easy to rub in and disappears into your skin in seconds. Garrett Munce, Men's Health, 2 Dec. 2022 This water-resistant, reef-friendly formula is easy to rub in and has a truly invisible finish. SELF, 19 July 2022 Squalane protects the skin, adds hydration, and makes this sunscreen extra easy to rub in. ELLE, 1 June 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'rub in.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rub in was in 1851

Dictionary Entries Near rub in

Cite this Entry

“Rub in.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rub%20in. Accessed 24 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

rub in

verb
: to keep reminding someone of something unpleasant
you don't have to rub it in
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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