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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

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. 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
Add a little olive oil and a pinch of salt, then use your hands to gently squeeze, rub, and knead the leaves. — Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 25 Sep. 2026 While Bo could often be won over with a treat, the Obamas said Sunny preferred attention and playtime, including running around with the family, rolling on the floor and getting belly rubs. — ABC News, 16 Sep. 2026
Verb
After two consecutive championships and more than a decade of rubbing the rest of Major League Baseball’s noses in their extravagant wealth, the Los Angeles Dodgers were not going to be missed. — Mike Finger, San Antonio Express-News, 15 Oct. 2026 Inside the courtroom, Brand appeared to be rubbing what looked like a rock or pebble in his hand. — Ellise Shafer, Variety, 14 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
  • The biggest headache for Thune was the Save America Act, a voter ID bill that lacked a strategy to become law in the Senate.
    — semafor.com, semafor.com, 16 Oct. 2026
  • In Meta’s case, creepy video-recording incidents and privacy-light tampering have caused severe headaches for the company.
    — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of headache
Verb
  • The company’s first product was the Ruffle Power Pareo, which can be worn as a pareo or a skirt and remains one of their bestsellers.
    — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The Bee Frontier can be worn as a Fitbit-like band on the wrist or as a clip-on pin.
    — Victoria Song, The Verge, 15 Oct. 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
  • Especially now, younger kids are so immersed in social media and people are trying to fabricate themselves or polish and airbrush their lives and appearances.
    — Clayton Davis, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Each refillable case secures with a satisfying magnetic closure, and is polished with an alabaster finish.
    — Kiana Murden, Vogue, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of polish
Noun
  • The Dodgers have been a thorn in the Brewers side, but this season feels a bit different.
    — OutKick, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Cue an enthralling chase sequence, doubling back through those higgledy-piggledy Portland streetscapes, toward the woods — the impenetrable thickets and thorns of which magically part in her presence.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of thorn
Verb
  • Washington must take care, however, not to transfer defense responsibilities faster than allies can develop the capabilities to assume them—and not to do so in ways that erode trust, interoperability, and coordination.
    — Andrea Kendall-Taylor, Foreign Affairs, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The deck replacement is necessary because traffic loads on the span have become increasingly heavy, and salt air has eroded bridge materials.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of erode
Verb
  • The Gators have ground to make up, and Georgia is on the horizon.
    — Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The stock still looks cheap, trading at a mid-teens multiple on forward earnings estimates, which should help shares grind higher.
    — Alexa LoMonaco,Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of grind
Verb
  • All of this pillow talk smooths Kate’s path to selling Hal on her idea of extracting the bodies from the Russian sub.
    — Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Both products contain moisturizing ingredients like squalane and shea butter, plus vitamin E to smooth signs of aging.
    — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 16 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 20 Oct. 2026.

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