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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of rub
Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 10 Dec. 2025
On the fourth-and-goal stop, Maye could have and should have pulled the ball out from Stevenson and thrown to Hunter Henry in the right flat on a run-pass option where the Patriots were ready to screen his defender in a rub-route concept.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 25 Nov. 2025
Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 11 Jan. 2026
Stir together pepper, paprika, and 1/2 teaspoon of the salt in a small bowl; rub mixture all over pork.
—Amanda Stanfield, Southern Living, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rub
Noun
Electrical sparks then form when dust particles in the swirling column rub and collide, building up static electricity.
—Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 10 Dec. 2025
On the fourth-and-goal stop, Maye could have and should have pulled the ball out from Stevenson and thrown to Hunter Henry in the right flat on a run-pass option where the Patriots were ready to screen his defender in a rub-route concept.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 25 Nov. 2025
Verb
Beneath its thin sky, dust storms roar, dust devils twist across the surface, and tiny grains of sand constantly rub against each other.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 11 Jan. 2026
Stir together pepper, paprika, and 1/2 teaspoon of the salt in a small bowl; rub mixture all over pork.
—Amanda Stanfield, Southern Living, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rub
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rub
Noun
-
The illness tends to come on abruptly, with symptoms including fever, sore throat, headaches and fatigue.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue, vomiting and diarrhea.—
Jason Green,
Mercury News,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Meyer, meanwhile, wore a white graphic tee with black mini shorts and a Thom Browne top coat, W reported.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
10 Jan. 2026
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He was last seen wearing a red and black plaid shirt, dark jeans and brown steel-toe boots, police said.—
Meredith Deliso,
ABC News,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
After sanding and wiping down well with a tacky cloth to get rid of grit, use a paint primer to help the paint stick to the wood and prevent additional cracks.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Wood floors are durable in that they can be sanded and refinished.—
Mary Grace Granados
Special Contributor,
Dallas Morning News,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Speak steadily to keep polishing your reputation.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Guests return for its discreet charm, consistently warm staff, and a sense of home that feels polished rather than precious.—
Jessica Chapel,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The Teyana Taylor x Air Jordan 1, her first sneaker collaboration, released in 2023 with a predominantly red colorway featuring green thorns on its Swoosh and a massive removable gold-tone metal charm featuring her initials and a rose.—
Ian Servantes,
Footwear News,
12 Jan. 2026
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Make sure to wear leather gloves to protect your hands from rose thorns.—
Lauren Landers,
The Spruce,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Erosion threatens land, heritage, and infrastructure The Holderness coastline has long been recognised as one of Europe’s most rapidly eroding coastal regions.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Public trust in the justice system is eroded when political cronyism is rewarded over fairness, when accountability is resisted, and when devastating errors are defended instead of confronted.—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The manufacturing of this dye was a key industry in ancient Phoenician cities, with the precious ink coming from a process of grinding the now almost extinct murex shell.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Jan. 2026
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At this Walmart, the price of Maxwell House ground Colombian coffee rose by 46% in 2025 and its breakfast K-Cups by 34%.—
Alina Selyukh,
NPR,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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As a result, this is not a last-minute, turn-up-and-go destination, but experienced tour operators can help smooth the path.—
Holden Frith,
TheWeek,
9 Jan. 2026
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Check out more skin-smoothing K-beauty favorites below.—
Tamim Alnuweiri,
InStyle,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rub.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rub. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
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