rub 1 of 2

noun

Definition of rubnext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

rub

2 of 2

verb

ˈrəb How to pronounce rub (audio)
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

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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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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of rub
Noun
Some are smothered in that nuclear rub, the equivalent of a stag-do dare. — Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 30 June 2026 For instance, there are glazed pork belly chunks served on crispy tostones, tuna tataki with a jerk-spice rub, and a bright, citrusy conch salad. — Chadner Navarro, Travel + Leisure, 29 June 2026
Verb
Thyme When their essential oils are released and rubbed onto the skin, thyme plants, including creeping thyme, can help keep mosquitoes away. — Alexandra Jones, The Spruce, 5 July 2026 Using a pair of tongs and a towel, lightly rub the heated grill grates with a little grapeseed oil. — Staff, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for rub
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rub
  1. headache
  2. wear
  3. sand
  4. polish
  5. thorn
  6. erode
  7. grind
  8. smooth
Noun
  • Around one in 13 people experience recurring morning headaches, research suggests, with women and those between the ages of 45 and 64 more likely to have them.
    — Kathleen Felton, Washington Post, 17 July 2026
  • As body temperature rises and humidity limits the body’s ability to cool itself, mild symptoms such as cramps and headaches can progress to shortness of breath, dizziness, confusion, nausea, and ultimately life-threatening heat stroke.
    — Laura Schifter, Time, 17 July 2026
Definition of headache
Verb
  • On Saturday, while wearing a crisp, new black Portland Trail Blazers polo shirt, Morant talked of fresh starts, a rejuvenated and nature-loving version of himself and the desire to change narratives.
    — Jason Quick, New York Times, 12 July 2026
  • Norwegian fans wore red and blue, Viking helmets and Haaland shirts.
    — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 12 July 2026
Definition of wear
Verb
  • Roughly a month before Kirk’s killing, Twiggs said Robinson asked for a Dremel, a tool used for sanding or grinding, to engrave bullets for an upcoming family hunting trip.
    — Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
  • Rather than using a standard stonewash, TacticalGeek says the blade is hand-finished with sanding and polishing steps that refine the surface from coarse to fine, while the groove area uses EDM machining for extra texture and visual depth.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 9 July 2026
Definition of sand
Verb
  • Set near the Apollo Theater in Harlem, the restaurant delivers scale, confidence, and polish without falling into the usual steakhouse performance.
    — Rafael Peña, Miami Herald, 13 July 2026
  • The investment of time and money put into excavating and polishing a skeleton such as Gus would not be possible, according to Hatton, without the prospect of a high-value sale.
    — Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 13 July 2026
Definition of polish
Noun
  • And the yodel knows that the only way to grab the rose is to risk exposing the hand to the thorn.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 July 2026
  • Later, after a half-day tour to the nearby towns of Lampa and Pucará, the team made magic again, with a lunch in a forest of towering Puya raimondii, otherworldly bromeliads with thorns like piranha teeth.
    — Chris Schalkx, Travel + Leisure, 4 July 2026
Definition of thorn
Verb
  • Without that know-how, the investment sits idle and erodes unseen.
    — Kerry Huang, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
  • This smoke has eroded decades of air quality improvements in parts of the US, particularly in the West.
    — Brandon Miller, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
Definition of erode
Verb
  • With more and more families settling in cities in the second half of the 19th century, camps gave kids a refuge from the oppressive heat, rancid smells and grinding noise of summer in the city.
    — Seth T. Kannarr, Fortune, 13 July 2026
  • If Ryan McMahon really did revive their season with that grinding 12-pitch at bat against Yankee-killing Rays ace Drew Rasmussen last Thursday, what can Brian Cashman do to sufficiently fix the roster for a deep postseason run?
    — Bill Madden, New York Daily News, 11 July 2026
Definition of grind
Verb
  • The new schedule aligns with the National Women’s Soccer League, smoothing the process for player loans.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 16 July 2026
  • The wide straps offer support, while compression seaming on the waist and back smooths the torso.
    — Alexandra Malmed, InStyle, 16 July 2026
Definition of smooth

Phrases Containing rub

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royalty
rub
rubbed
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Cite this Entry

“Rub.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rub. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

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