1
as in chunks
a small uneven mass
throw a nub of butter into the frying pan
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in roots
the central part or aspect of something under consideration
the nub of the argument is that the intelligence agencies failed the country
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of nubs
Legs were wound down to nubs and heads inflated to egregious proportions.
—
Andrew Norman Wilson, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026
Fumbling with the plastic nubs can be painful and frustrating.
—Zoe Gates, Outside, 28 Oct. 2025
This wooden foot massager roller features an arched design and rows of nubs to hit different acupressure points to provide relief.
—L. Daniela Alvarez, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Sep. 2025
My rubber-shod toes were pressed on little nubs the size of chicken nuggets.
—Emily Meg Weinstein
september 5, Literary Hub, 5 Sep. 2025
Andrew Norman Wilson, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026
Fumbling with the plastic nubs can be painful and frustrating.
—Zoe Gates, Outside, 28 Oct. 2025
This wooden foot massager roller features an arched design and rows of nubs to hit different acupressure points to provide relief.
—L. Daniela Alvarez, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Sep. 2025
My rubber-shod toes were pressed on little nubs the size of chicken nuggets.
—Emily Meg Weinstein
september 5, Literary Hub, 5 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nubs
Noun
-
The flavors in the beef carpaccio antipasti with Pioppini mushrooms, green apple chunks, and celeriac were beautifully balanced.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 Mar. 2026
-
The city is doing the project in small chunks in hopes of minimizing impacts on businesses and has plans to partner with Noblesville Main Street and the Noblesville Chamber of Commerce to encourage residents to still visit the business during construction.—
Jake Allen,
IndyStar,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The away jersey features a white background with green horizontal lines inspired by the state’s agricultural roots and meant to reflect layered fields, according to the press release.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
5 Mar. 2026
-
The adaptation retains traces of its literary roots—there are multiple nods to Nabokov, including a bakery named after Charlotte Haze, Lolita’s mother—but its bookishness is mostly window dressing.—
Inkoo Kang,
New Yorker,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
When exposed to moisture, including indoor humidity, powder detergent clumps and harden, rendering it unusable.—
Jolie Kerr,
Better Homes & Gardens,
27 Feb. 2026
-
These hybrid lilies are well-behaved, spreading to form clumps over three to four years.—
Barbara Gillette,
The Spruce,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Themed around the concept of play, it was filled with prints of dices, playing cards and board games, which added to takes on tartan and argyle patterns and the duo’s go-to motifs, such as hearts and polka dots.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
2 Mar. 2026
-
The loops and patterns this pair trades in don’t exactly have hearts, or cores.—
Hattie Lindert,
Pitchfork,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
That’s especially the case in American urban cores, like Miami’s, that have seen an influx of wealth and rapid development, added Goldstone.—
Max Klaver,
Miami Herald,
27 Feb. 2026
-
For instance, not all red supergiants shed their outer layers as their cores contract to become yellow hypergiants.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Use those wads of wrapping paper leftover from a birthday, baby shower, or holiday bash to stuff the bottom and sides of the box and prevent shifting during shipping.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
25 Dec. 2025
-
Hanging ornaments with care can be one of the highlights of the holiday season, but untangling wads of string lights is far less enjoyable.—
Maggie Horton,
PEOPLE,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The cheesy duo of white cheddar and gruyere combine with crisp, salty bacon crumbles and sweet corn kernels for a flavor that's unmatched.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Blitz the kernels with herbs, garlic, and vinegar for a lush, creamy sauce without dairy.—
Chadwick Boyd,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Inspired by both pre-Columbian cultures and modern scientific theories, Jensen made energetic diagrams of shapes, symbols, and numbers in loud complementary colors, using thick globs of paint; the results generate a fascinating friction.—
Brian Seibert,
New Yorker,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nubs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nubs. Accessed 6 Mar. 2026.
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