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
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
Tamia Boyd, Charlotte Observer, 29 Jan. 2025
Mac’s Speed Shop Location: Multiple locations in Lake Norman, Matthews, Steele Creek, South End
Mac’s Speed Shop has wings tossed in a signature dry rub and served with your choice of sauce on the side.
—Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 7 Feb. 2025
Angela Haupt, Time, 2 May 2025
For a variety of reasons, all four of those players — Green, Young, Gobert and Haliburton — routinely rub their opponents the wrong way.
—Sam Amick, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rub
Noun
Their wings are tossed in their signature dry rub and served with your choice of sauce on the side.
—Tamia Boyd, Charlotte Observer, 29 Jan. 2025
Mac’s Speed Shop Location: Multiple locations in Lake Norman, Matthews, Steele Creek, South End
Mac’s Speed Shop has wings tossed in a signature dry rub and served with your choice of sauce on the side.
—Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 7 Feb. 2025
Verb
It’s known as an allergic salute or a nasal crease, and it’s caused by rubbing your nose over and over again, Chambliss says.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 2 May 2025
For a variety of reasons, all four of those players — Green, Young, Gobert and Haliburton — routinely rub their opponents the wrong way.
—Sam Amick, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rub
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rub
Noun
-
That outage effectively shut down one of the nation’s busiest airports for approximately two hours, and led to days of cancellations, delays and headaches for travelers.—
Evan Simko-Bednarski,
New York Daily News,
9 May 2025
-
But string and yarn can become a headache for owners if their cats get their paws on it, which is exactly what happened to TikTok user @healingat40.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 May 2025
Verb
-
For me, that means flying out of and into the same airports, using the same airline, sitting in the same seat number on both flights, and wearing my favorite travel pants: the G4Free Wide-leg Pants.—
Emily Belfiore,
Travel + Leisure,
11 May 2025
-
Cannon wears her children on her sleeve — literally.—
Anthony De Leon,
Los Angeles Times,
11 May 2025
Verb
-
The same can be said of Carmen, who is similarly sanded down.—
Shania Russell,
EW.com,
28 Apr. 2025
-
This is a major project that requires dismantling, sanding, stripping, and prepping cabinets properly for the best-looking results.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
6 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Instead of replacing her creativity, AI amplified it by providing structured and consistent feedback, giving her more time to polish her jokes.—
Jeanne Beatrix Law,
The Conversation,
7 May 2025
-
Polish with Microfiber Cloth Use a microfiber cloth to polish the mirror after squeegeeing.—
Jolie Kerr,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 May 2025
Noun
-
Lai, a pugnacious former publisher whose now shuttered tabloid Apple Daily was a regular thorn in Beijing’s side, is in the midst of a national security trial that could send him to prison for life.—
Juliana Liu,
CNN Money,
10 May 2025
-
The absence of Curry will be a big thorn in the Warriors' side as he's been great these playoffs.—
Ricardo Klein,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 May 2025
Verb
-
Yes, the minerals in hard water stains can eventually erode the metal fixtures and scratch the glass and tiles.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
10 May 2025
-
But the collisions were brutal, eroding Means’ game in short time.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 May 2025
Verb
-
These interests, the thinking goes, feed into a culture that grinds the spirits of bright young women into pixie dust by insisting that their outward appearance is ultimately more important than their actions.—
Faran Krentcil,
The Atlantic,
14 May 2025
-
After two decades grinding in the music business, Pankey got frustrated with something fundamental.—
Kimberly Wilson,
Essence,
10 May 2025
Verb
-
The Red Sox may be hoping a similar meeting in Kansas City can smooth things over with their star player.—
Jen McCaffrey,
New York Times,
10 May 2025
-
Her super long ponytail, which was teased and smoothed with Tangle Teezer’s Ultimate Detangler Chrome, is not-so-rudely interrupted by tiers of bulbous rings of red hair.—
Marci Robin,
Allure,
5 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rub.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rub. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share