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

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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
And be sure to check age restrictions before using any products on children — baby and child chest rubs will be formulated with gentler ingredients. — Andee Tagle, NPR, 15 Oct. 2026 What’s more, the mixes can be used straight from the envelope as a dry rub for meat, as a base for dips, or even as a popcorn seasoning. — Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 Oct. 2026
Verb
Using a soft cloth, toothpaste, or sponge, simply rub the toothpaste in small, circular motions for a few minutes. — Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 30 Oct. 2026 The bird is brined, steeped in two separate marinades, rubbed with jerk paste, then smoked low and slow over pimento wood imported from Jamaica. — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 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
  • Symptoms can include headache, fever, stiff neck and sensitivity to light.
    — Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2026
  • However, lead researcher Ferdinand Kuemmeth, an experimental physicist at the University of Regensburg and Copenhagen’s Niels Bohr Institute, argued that the technique solves a looming industrial headache.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of headache
Verb
  • According to police and fire department accounts, Banks, who was wearing only underwear, was acting erratically and attempted to rob other citizens before officers arrived.
    — Brian Maass, CBS News, 13 Nov. 2026
  • Into this eclectic circle comes Leland, an Alabama man who wears his particular brand of Christianity on his sleeve and has endured more than his fair share of tragedy.
    — Matthew J. Palm, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Nov. 2026
Definition of wear
Verb
  • To hold it in my lap and sand down the spot where my story was engraved.
    — Daniel Barnum, Longreads, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Whatever marks that remain after pulling the supports away and curing the parts are easily ground or sanded away.
    — Michael Lydick, PC Magazine, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of sand
Verb
  • Despite a surface that often feels — after two developmental runs, at Virginia’s Signature Theatre and at Paper Mill Playhouse — polished to a commercial, salable gloss, the production began as a distinctly personal story.
    — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2026
  • The brand aimed to strike a balance between cozy and polished with shearling silhouettes spanning flats, suede loafers, mules and winter boots.
    — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 9 Nov. 2026
Definition of polish
Noun
  • Print editions used to appear three times a week and proved to be a thorn in the side of the Kremlin.
    — Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2026
  • The United States has around 54,000 military personnel stationed in Japan, mostly on Okinawa, and crimes committed by its personnel have been a thorn in relations between the close security allies.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 9 Nov. 2026
Definition of thorn
Verb
  • The team noted that the peak in 2025 coincides with eroding trust in public health following the COVID pandemic, rising vaccine hesitancy and growing parental skepticism around newborn interventions.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Since most American workers don’t stay in one place throughout the course of their career, these fees could significantly erode their retirement savings.
    — Jeff Stevenson, Forbes.com, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of erode
Verb
  • But a mulching mower also does a great job of grinding up leaves.
    — David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Fallbrook High School has seen numerous momentum swings over the span of time, and just two years after grinding through a winless season, the Warriors were hosting a Friday night playoff game again.
    — Rick Hoff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of grind
Verb
  • The relaxed legs offer plenty of room to move, while the elegant pleats create a flattering drape that helps smooth visible lines.
    — Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Unlike a traditional body lotion, the moisturizer’s lightweight, milky texture softens skin, smooths rough patches, and relieves dryness sans the greasy film.
    — Madison San Miguel, Allure, 30 Oct. 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 13 Nov. 2026.

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