rub up

verb

rubbed up; rubbing up; rubs up

transitive verb

1
: to revive or refresh knowledge of : recall
2
: to improve the keenness of (a mental faculty)

Examples of rub up in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
These florals rub up against embroidered wall coverings, striped curtains and flashes of marble. Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2025 On the second take, Russell’s bossy tone rubbed up nicely against the neediness of the moment. Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025 Her harness also rubbed up against her fur from being on too long. Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Aug. 2025 Or the earth’s great tectonic plates can rub up against each other and build pressure, more pressure, more pressure, until—boom!—an earthquake happens. Ginny Whitelaw, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for rub up

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1571, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of rub up was circa 1571

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Cite this Entry

“Rub up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rub%20up. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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