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
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of rub
Farhan Mustafa, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Sep. 2025
Darin' Dab Ghost Wings (Hot) — Bone-in or boneless wings dusted with a ghost pepper dry rub, served with a Last Dab Ranch dip cup.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Oct. 2025
Yuhas said rubbing could trigger keratoconus, an eye condition that weakens the cornea.
—Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rub
Noun
While his rubs are spiked with both Old Bay and Pakistani flavors, his menu is inspired more by road trips he’s taken.
—Farhan Mustafa, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Sep. 2025
Darin' Dab Ghost Wings (Hot) — Bone-in or boneless wings dusted with a ghost pepper dry rub, served with a Last Dab Ranch dip cup.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
Use a drop of dish soap on each lens, and gently rub it in using your fingers.
—Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Oct. 2025
Yuhas said rubbing could trigger keratoconus, an eye condition that weakens the cornea.
—Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rub
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rub
Noun
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If the thought of budgeting gives you a headache, there's another way to approach managing your money without tracking every expense or obsessing over spreadsheets.—
Andreina Rodriguez,
CNBC,
1 Oct. 2025
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Symptoms of the more serious illness include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis, according to the CDC.—
Madeline Heim,
jsonline.com,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The evidence that Song was the shooter comes from a green mask the assailant wore from which samples that tested positive for Song’s DNA were taken and from interviews with cooperating sources, FBI Special Agent Clark Wiethorn testified at the hearing.—
Emerson Clarridge,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
3 Oct. 2025
-
In a recent campaign ad, Van Epps wears an Army uniform throughout the entire ad with patches and insignia removed.—
Vivian Jones,
Nashville Tennessean,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Additional changes in the new beach include a stabilizing stone wall, dry prairie grasses to deter birds and sand with larger grain size.—
Maia Pandey,
jsonline.com,
19 Sep. 2025
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Reiss’ script was a Black List find that either wasn’t reworked enough by committee or so sanded down in the studio churn that all personality was drained in the process.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Venus ends its Virgo run in your communication house, polishing your words with discernment.—
Dossé-Via Trenou,
Refinery29,
5 Oct. 2025
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Or a set of silverware to polish when stainless steel works fine?—
Bea L. Hines,
Miami Herald,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Last season, the Hurricanes had the league’s 25th-best power play, and the man advantage has been a thorn in the team’s side during almost every playoff disappointment.—
The Athletic NHL,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Flynn has persistently been a thorn in the side of Wu all year, and some of his proposals are legit.—
Joe Battenfeld,
Boston Herald,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
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And trust—the most precious resource in any health crisis—will continue to erode.—
Dr. Nikki Romanik,
Time,
1 Oct. 2025
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For Allen, this legal tool disproportionately undermines Black communities, eroding generational wealth and disconnecting families from their neighborhoods.—
Essence,
Essence,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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And so, to Paris, where the tectonic plates of a historic reshuffling of creative directors is grinding into place.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
2 Oct. 2025
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The songwriting process for the album’s breakout hit started with the track’s grinding post-chorus breakdown, which Walter had created on a whim.—
Stephen Daw,
Billboard,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The palate is rich with leather, oak, and dark fruit, smoothed by brown sugar and lifted by cherry brightness.—
Gege Reed,
Louisville Courier Journal,
1 Oct. 2025
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The Revitalizing Serum, made with mostly natural ingredients including red camellia extract, smooths and illuminates the skin while its counterpart—the Revitalizing Eye Serum—wakes up the gaze.—
Jenny Berg,
Vogue,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rub.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rub. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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