Synonyms of rub

rub 1 of 2

noun

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

• headache
• thorn
• worry
• nuisance
• frustration
• irritant
• problem
• irk
• annoyance
• ruffle
• inconvenience
• hair shirt
• bother
• exasperation
• peeve
• insult
• vexation
• bugbear
• aggravation
• trial
• discomfort
• burden
• pest
• curse
• botheration
• aggro
• hassle
• sore
• pinprick
• trouble
• menace
• upset
• cross
• affront
• fleabite
• predicament
• anxiety
• plague
• offender
• plight
• millstone
• albatross
• pet peeve
• tribulation
• offense
• disturber
• annoyer
• hang-up
• harasser
• mischief
• pandora's box
• affliction

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• pleasure
• joy
• delight

rub

2 of 2

verb

ˈrəb 

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

• wear
• erode
• fray
• shave
• reduce
• chafe
• abrade
• bite
• scrape
• erase
• eat
• gall
• sharpen
• fret
• corrade
• gnaw
• graze
• chew
• file
• nibble
• rasp
• wipe (away)
• wear out
• scour
• sandpaper
• grate
• frazzle
• scuff
• grind
• disintegrate
• sandblast
• dissolve
• decompose
• rub out
• corrode
• hone
• whet
• break down
• break up

2

as in to sand

to make smooth by friction

the furniture restorer rubbed the board perfectly smooth with sandpaper

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sand
• grind
• sharpen
• polish
• file
• scrape
• buff
• hone
• plane
• smooth
• burnish
• shine
• rasp
• gloss
• scour
• sandblast
• edge
• whet
• dress
• strop
• regrind

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rough (up)
• roughen
• coarsen
• scuff

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

• polish
• smooth
• scrub
• shine
• coat
• burnish
• gloss
• scrape
• buff
• grind
• sand
• dress
• face
• furbish
• finish
• slick
• smoothen
• glaze
• bob
• varnish
• sleek
• brighten
• bone
• file
• scour
• japan
• lacquer
• sandpaper
• veneer
• sandblast
• lap
• rasp

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rough (up)
• ruffle
• roughen
• scuff (up)

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of rub

Noun

In more normal times, there might be one other rub to this convention. — Daniel Strauss, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026

Be sure to dab stains—don’t rub or press with force—with cool water, which can lighten most spots and remove others altogether. — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 30 Aug. 2026

Verb

Among other things, Noohu accused showrunner Ed Brubaker of rubbing his back and of making comments about running his hands through Noohu’s hair. — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 18 Sep. 2026

Check for any pin bones by rubbing your hands or the length of a knife over the flesh. — Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 18 Sep. 2026

Phrases Containing rub

• rub elbows
• rub elbows (with)
• rub out
• rub shoulders
• rub shoulders (with)
• rub the wrong way