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
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Recent Examples of rubbed
Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2025
The female nurse rubbed the glove over her sides, into the folds, on the back of her neck.
—Laura Vazquez, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
Freeland agreed with Doyle that the negative coverage has rubbed some players the wrong way.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 9 Sep. 2025
Liang, kneeling before me, made a praying gesture and rubbed his hands together to warm them.
—Sarah Larson, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
Before thermometers and urgent care, white rum rubbed on the forehead or chest was a fever fix; a splash on a new building’s foundation was a blessing for protection.
—Gina Pace, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
And while it was expected the two sides would part ways this offseason, first-year Jets head coach Aaron Glenn rubbed Rodgers the wrong way after an awkward meeting between the two to discuss their future together.
—Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025
Spills can be blotted (never rubbed) with a dry cloth since the fabric is non-absorptive, and for more stubborn stains, dry cleaning is recommended.
—Zoë Sessums, Architectural Digest, 4 Sep. 2025
The bug’s feces can also end up inside or near a home and then be incidentally ingested or rubbed into the skin or mucous membrane.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
All other produce can be gently rubbed while being rinsed.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2025
The female nurse rubbed the glove over her sides, into the folds, on the back of her neck.
—Laura Vazquez, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
Freeland agreed with Doyle that the negative coverage has rubbed some players the wrong way.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 9 Sep. 2025
Liang, kneeling before me, made a praying gesture and rubbed his hands together to warm them.
—Sarah Larson, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
Before thermometers and urgent care, white rum rubbed on the forehead or chest was a fever fix; a splash on a new building’s foundation was a blessing for protection.
—Gina Pace, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
And while it was expected the two sides would part ways this offseason, first-year Jets head coach Aaron Glenn rubbed Rodgers the wrong way after an awkward meeting between the two to discuss their future together.
—Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025
Spills can be blotted (never rubbed) with a dry cloth since the fabric is non-absorptive, and for more stubborn stains, dry cleaning is recommended.
—Zoë Sessums, Architectural Digest, 4 Sep. 2025
The bug’s feces can also end up inside or near a home and then be incidentally ingested or rubbed into the skin or mucous membrane.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rubbed
Adjective
-
In the Instagram video, Swift directed her Showgirl persona while sporting an oversized blazer, a black tank top, and crossover waist wide-leg jeans — three polished staples that are so smart to have on hand for fall.—
Averi Baudler,
PEOPLE,
30 Sep. 2025
-
The bestselling mule also got some colorful updates in polished patent.—
Martino Carrera,
Footwear News,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Israeli public support for the war, which was overwhelming at the beginning, has significantly eroded.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
29 Sep. 2025
-
The job market is particularly tough for recent graduates because hiring in white-collar industries including technology has slowed significantly and advances in artificial intelligence have eroded some of the entry-level jobs that used to be a springboard for them.—
Michael Sasso,
Fortune,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Ricci scraped together a $27,000 loan, but still came up $500 short.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Cindric scraped the outside wall on his qualifying lap and will start 26th.—
Reid Spencer,
Kansas City Star,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Crow’s feet are smoothed with the winch of a hair elastic.—
Marci Robin,
Allure,
23 Sep. 2025
-
The appearance at the memorial appeared to show that the rift between the two had, at least temporarily, smoothed.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA Today,
21 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The ridiculously nourishing formula leaves you glistening but never greasy, with the coconut, açai, and brazil nut oils restoring suppleness to a level that pleased our testers as much as its tropical, coconutty scent and mess-free pump.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
-
What can any of us make of our momentary intimate lives in such an immense world, with equally immense unknowns, mysteries as great as death or the whale, as deep as love or the ocean, as sad and beautiful as a jellyfish torn and glistening in a small fortress of shore rock?—
Natalie Diaz
September 11,
Literary Hub,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
Fazit Beauty — made famous when Swift wore the company's glitter freckles to a Chiefs game — has $15 showgirl looks.—
Bryan West,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
Some people take all the components off the frame, strip off all the decals, then get the whole thing sanded and powder-coated with a fresh coat of paint.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Encased in a glossy synth-pop tune, producers Max Martin and Shellback lace the lyrics with a melody as addictive as a narcotic, hooking listeners from the start.—
Bryan West,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
-
The amphibian slip-ons, crafted in glossy green rubber with bulging eyes perched across the vamp, were first introduced at JW Anderson’s fall 2023 menswear show in Milan.—
Maggie Clancy,
Footwear News,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rubbed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rubbed. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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