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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of rub
Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 27 Feb. 2026
The bigger rub with the realignment rears its head in the individual tournament.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 26 Feb. 2026
Annie Blay-Tettey, Allure, 5 Mar. 2026
Once inside, Salarzai molested the child, including touching his chest and rubbing his thigh.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rub
Noun
With a foreword by fellow Oaklander and Native American author Tommy Orange, Wahpepah’s book invites readers to a pre-colonial cuisine of bison roast with chokeberry rub, acorn muffins and wild rice fritters stuffed with apples, cranberries, pepita crema and much more.
—Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 27 Feb. 2026
The bigger rub with the realignment rears its head in the individual tournament.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 26 Feb. 2026
Verb
But though an -itis can sound intense, there’s still no reason to be alarmed (or, again, to rub your eyes).
—Annie Blay-Tettey, Allure, 5 Mar. 2026
Once inside, Salarzai molested the child, including touching his chest and rubbing his thigh.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rub
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rub
Noun
-
Finn was experiencing headaches and nausea, which led to an emergency room visit and a sudden diagnosis.—
Jori Parys,
CBS News,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Symptoms can include fever, headache, facial swelling, malaise and swelling of the salivary glands.—
Caelyn Pender,
Mercury News,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Police released an image captured from a surveillance video showing a person wearing dark clothes and a backpack, with their face covered.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
10 Mar. 2026
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Liu’s jacket—worn open over a white crewneck tee—featured a breast pocket bearing the house’s telltale LV monogram.—
Hannah Jackson,
Vogue,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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After drying and sanding, the pieces are sealed and painted with complex patterns, geometric designs, and Zapotec symbols.—
Patricia Doherty,
Travel + Leisure,
12 Mar. 2026
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But finishing work — sanding and shaping — generated heavy dust.—
Dr. Céline Gounder,
CBS News,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Spritz on just a little and polish with a rag or cloth to make the leaves of artificial plants shine, giving them the illusion of being real.—
Hallie Milstein,
Southern Living,
12 Mar. 2026
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In one scene, her character polishes and admires the ring, allowing viewers a closer look at the remarkable stone.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
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No anti-Iran narrative Iran has been a thorn in the side of many American presidents for a long time.—
Charles Walldorf,
The Conversation,
10 Mar. 2026
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Its canes are reddish in color and covered with spiny thorns.—
Carl R. Gold,
Baltimore Sun,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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China approved a new set of ethnicity laws that critics say risks further eroding the rights of minorities.—
Jeronimo Gonzalez,
semafor.com,
12 Mar. 2026
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The union representing federal screeners argues that moving operations to private companies could erode job protections and reduce pay and benefits for workers already facing high turnover amid demanding conditions.—
Rio Yamat,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Trailblazers were grinding the whole second half, wearing down Harvard-Westlake players as the loud home fans cheered them on.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
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Tanker traffic through the strait has ground to a standstill as shippers fear attacks by Iran.—
Spencer Kimball,Sam Meredith,
CNBC,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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If your hair is curly, textured, or humidity-prone, Van Ess notes the formula will help to smooth unwanted frizz.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
10 Mar. 2026
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Elsewhere, deeper valances and vented sill covers help to smooth airflow, chrome parts—such as the bumpers and grille—are ceramic-coated, and all lights are upgraded to super-bright LEDs.—
Tim Pitt,
Robb Report,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rub.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rub. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
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