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

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. 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
But on a visit the other day, the pork ribs and — surprisingly — the boneless chicken breast arrived with a good, spicy rub. — Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Aug. 2026 That’s especially true for heavy rub lines that connect bedding areas and food sources. — Josh Honeycutt, Outdoor Life, 6 Aug. 2026
Verb
Dark, fade-prone clothes should also be turned inside out, as abrasion from rubbing against other clothes can cause fibers to fray, making clothes look faded. — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 30 Aug. 2026 Fewer seams inside also help cut down on rubbing and irritation. — Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 30 Aug. 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
  • Brighton sold Carlos Baleba to Manchester United in August in a deal worth up to £70m, and also losing Ayari during the summer window would have been a headache for the head coach.
    — Andy Naylor, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Pay for the features that reduce headaches After 1,700 miles, that might have been the biggest lesson.
    — Chris Hardesty, AJC.com, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of headache
Verb
  • Carlton Wing wore a coat of live mayflies Thursday while fly fishing for bream on Midway Lake.
    — Bryan Hendricks, Arkansas Online, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Her coaching staff has worn IM8 swag, though things can get confusing because her coach, Anton Dubrov, is now part of the Eight Sleep team.
    — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of wear
Verb
  • Degloss the countertop surface by lightly sanding to scuff the shiny finish, and then wipe the dust away.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Video of the restoration showed the new star, at 6712 Hollywood Boulevard, being buffed, sanded and repainted.
    — Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of sand
Verb
  • Italian Wedding Soup Speaking of proposals, this classic soup is polished enough to serve at a wedding, but homey enough for a weeknight.
    — Lizzy Briskin, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Running a raw, unedited Q&A shows the reality of the technology without a corporate PR team polishing the rough edges or hiding the structural failures.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of polish
Noun
  • Roses are considered non-toxic, though thorns can cause injuries and floral preservatives may still pose a risk.
    — Lauren Paige Richeson, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Agoura’s versatile George Hastings will try to be a thorn for Westlake on offense and defense.
    — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of thorn
Verb
  • While lenders initially benefit from higher income, boosting investment returns, that advantage can be eroded if weaker companies struggle to service their debt.
    — Hugh Leask, CNBC, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Though liberal institutions survived formally, the social and economic settlement that sustained them had begun to erode.
    — Faisal Devji, Time, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of erode
Verb
  • The third round was old-style Gauff, scratchy and inconsistent and grinding her way to victory with her legs, over Cristina Buçsa.
    — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • What is so distressing about the lawsuit that is grinding through the federal courthouse in lower Manhattan is that there seems to be no end in sight.
    — Mike Kelly, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of grind
Verb
  • Eight Saints Up the Anti Night Cream moisturizes and plumps skin while smoothing wrinkles and fine lines on the face, neck, and décolleté area.
    — Melony Forcier, InStyle, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Attendees posed for selfies with our supermodel cover stars Anok Yai and Alex Consani, got their curls refreshed with Wella Professionals, and had their foreheads smoothed at VIP neuromodulator appointments.
    — Jennet Jusu, Allure, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of smooth

Phrases Containing rub

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royalty
rub
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Cite this Entry

“Rub.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rub. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

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