as in polished
having a shiny surface or finish
the rubbed brass of the wall sconce showed my reflection
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in eroded
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 scraped
to make smooth by friction
the furniture restorer rubbed the board perfectly smooth with sandpaper
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in smoothed
to make smooth or glossy usually by repeatedly applying surface pressure
the butler rubbed the silver tea set until it gleamed
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 rubbed
Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 7 Jan. 2026
William and Kate being so involved in what happened with Andrew reportedly rubbed Queen Camilla the wrong way.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 7 Jan. 2026
The minister wearing that dress rubbed people who hold those patriarchal values the wrong way, both men and women alike.
—Essence, 5 Jan. 2026
Balinese therapies include mepijet, a traditional massage style, and boreh, during which the body is rubbed with a paste of rice and spices and wrapped in banana leaves to soothe joints and boost circulation.
—Hannah Walhout, Travel + Leisure, 30 Dec. 2025
The name of this perennial points to its slippery, succulent foliage that makes a squeaking sound when two leaves are rubbed together.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Dec. 2025
After taking a bite, Mariko rubbed her baby bump as Teddy sweetly leaned in to plant a kiss on it.
—Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 25 Dec. 2025
Medeiros cleared his mouth and nose, placed him on his mother’s belly, and gently rubbed his back—moments later, the newborn let out his first cry.
—Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 25 Dec. 2025
Annie, his wife of thirty-four years, rubbed his back and shoulders.
—Alex Abramovich, New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2025
Verb
Bulldog or border collie, barking or getting its belly rubbed, a dog can be many things while still remaining a dog.
—Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 7 Jan. 2026
William and Kate being so involved in what happened with Andrew reportedly rubbed Queen Camilla the wrong way.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 7 Jan. 2026
The minister wearing that dress rubbed people who hold those patriarchal values the wrong way, both men and women alike.
—Essence, 5 Jan. 2026
Balinese therapies include mepijet, a traditional massage style, and boreh, during which the body is rubbed with a paste of rice and spices and wrapped in banana leaves to soothe joints and boost circulation.
—Hannah Walhout, Travel + Leisure, 30 Dec. 2025
The name of this perennial points to its slippery, succulent foliage that makes a squeaking sound when two leaves are rubbed together.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Dec. 2025
After taking a bite, Mariko rubbed her baby bump as Teddy sweetly leaned in to plant a kiss on it.
—Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 25 Dec. 2025
Medeiros cleared his mouth and nose, placed him on his mother’s belly, and gently rubbed his back—moments later, the newborn let out his first cry.
—Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 25 Dec. 2025
Annie, his wife of thirty-four years, rubbed his back and shoulders.
—Alex Abramovich, New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rubbed
Adjective
-
The prose looks polished, charts look clean, and a single percentage point buried in the model quietly pushes the decision in a different direction.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Like Coleman, Boston’s size (6-4, 210) and physicality enable him to win more than his fair share of jump balls, but the Huskie wideout is also a polished route-runner, especially on slants and comebacks.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
But police-reform advocates say the momentum for change after Floyd’s death has stalled — and in some cases reversed — as transparency by law-enforcement agencies across the Bay Area and the nation has steadily eroded.—
Jakob Rodgers,
Mercury News,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Consumers have remained reluctant to spend amid an uncertain employment outlook and a prolonged property crisis that has eroded household wealth.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Except for that victory at the Etihad — Amad was in a position to cause such damage because Amorim played him in an unusual role infield, which City never got to grips with — those moments came when Amorim essentially tore up his system, went rogue, and United scraped their way over the line.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
5 Jan. 2026
-
Hawk told investigators Cruz was upset with him because Hawk had scraped his vehicle, according to the probable cause statement.—
Caroline Zimmerman,
Kansas City Star,
31 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
As a result, the structure gradually collapsed and was smoothed to become almost flat by water currents.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
3 Jan. 2026
-
Alas, these brands already did the heavy lifting, delivering formulas that immediately smoothed and over time improved the delicate skin's texture.—
Jackie Fields,
PEOPLE,
29 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
The glistening, glowy finish is what enhances your makeup’s longevity and keeps it locked in place for hours.—
Michelle Baricevic,
InStyle,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Everton’s glistening new stadium may come with a global beer sponsor, but their first game of the New Year there was utterly sobering.—
Greg O'Keeffe,
New York Times,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
For the Los Angeles premiere of Marty Supreme, the two wore custom Chrome Hearts looks.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Emma Stone wore comfy, but sophisticated silk pants to a Louis Vuitton event in New York.—
Kaitlin Clapinski,
InStyle,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Wood floors are durable in that they can be sanded and refinished.—
Mary Grace Granados
Special Contributor,
Dallas Morning News,
5 Jan. 2026
-
Martin will doubtless have his edges sanded down over time, though hopefully later rather than sooner.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
4 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Unlike traditional cast-iron skillets, this one is coated in a black satin enamel that prevents food from sticking to the bottom, resists rust, and doesn’t require seasoning or regular upkeep.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Meet the expert Backstage at Anna Sui, models’ lashes were coated in layers of turquoise mascara, while at The Blonds, models sported dramatic, feathery falsies saturated in a shade of shocking pink.—
Ariel Wodarcyk,
InStyle,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rubbed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rubbed. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share