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
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Recent Examples of rubbed
James Marcus, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025
Her words rubbed viewers and other contestants the wrong way, prompting a spat with fellow contestant Debbie.
—Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 30 Oct. 2025
However, Amy didn't say anything else, which rubbed her the wrong way.
—Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
Dishes like Hokkaido scallop crudo and zatar and yogurt rubbed swordfish kabob with eggplant, roasted tomato, and tahini are transporting and the unctuous roasted bone marrow is simply a must-have dish.
—Stacey Lastoe, Southern Living, 24 Oct. 2025
Dennis took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes as Lenamon spoke about the abuse.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
Sontay rubbed his face and accepted the voluntary departure.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 22 Oct. 2025
Tom rubbed the back of his neck.
—Bob Cary, Outdoor Life, 15 Oct. 2025
All other produce can be gently rubbed while being rinsed.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2025
Verb
Sometimes, Nat told me, Christian had rubbed some of the estrogen jelly into his skin.
—James Marcus, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025
Her words rubbed viewers and other contestants the wrong way, prompting a spat with fellow contestant Debbie.
—Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 30 Oct. 2025
However, Amy didn't say anything else, which rubbed her the wrong way.
—Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
Dishes like Hokkaido scallop crudo and zatar and yogurt rubbed swordfish kabob with eggplant, roasted tomato, and tahini are transporting and the unctuous roasted bone marrow is simply a must-have dish.
—Stacey Lastoe, Southern Living, 24 Oct. 2025
Dennis took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes as Lenamon spoke about the abuse.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
Sontay rubbed his face and accepted the voluntary departure.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 22 Oct. 2025
Tom rubbed the back of his neck.
—Bob Cary, Outdoor Life, 15 Oct. 2025
All other produce can be gently rubbed while being rinsed.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rubbed
Adjective
-
This white alabaster, while far from a traditional menorah, offers the sort of sophistication that suits other polished holiday decorations perfectly.—
Rachel Fletcher,
Architectural Digest,
11 Nov. 2025
-
Clark’s delivery was confident, polished and emotionally resonant — drawing clear comparisons to early-2000s country stars while asserting her place as a rising voice in the genre.—
Jessica Lynch,
Billboard,
11 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
In particular, the city’s stormwater system is failing as pipes have eroded and caused sinkholes to pop up in some parts of the city.—
Taylor O'Connor,
Kansas City Star,
5 Nov. 2025
-
But the Court’s authority itself has been eroded by years of partisan battles.—
Dan Perry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
One of his conclusions after all that government service was that Congress had scraped too much power away from the presidency after the fiasco of Vietnam and scandal of Watergate.—
Brian Bennett,
Time,
5 Nov. 2025
-
However, blocking only prevents future content from being scraped.—
Alex Reisner,
The Atlantic,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
At its far end, the valley is enclosed by red sandstone cliffs—rock walls, towers, and outcrops the size of office buildings, smoothed and sculpted by millennia of wind and water.—
Stanley Stewart,
Air Mail,
25 Oct. 2025
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The first is that the metallic fabric rightfully has a different texture (and potentially consistency) from the black, and that difference is glaring with that wide a stripe; reducing that width by a third or half would have smoothed that out.—
The Athletic NHL Staff,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Udo Kier is the perverted master of ceremonies in this three-ring circus of deviancy from director Paul Morrissey, which takes Frankenstein’s romantic necrophilia and distills it to its glistening, taboo essence.—
Katie Rife,
Vulture,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Delicate purple, white, or lavender-pink flowers are embedded among tiny, glistening leaves.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
As for accessories, Obama wore a pair of white, firework-like earrings from the Chanel collection as well.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
6 Nov. 2025
-
At the game, Swift wore head-to-toe Chiefs red, including a $550 Courrèges sweater and matching $650 Courrèges skirt.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 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
Verb
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Each branch is fully coated for a realistic look of snow, and shoppers say the flocking won’t shed throughout the season.—
Shea Simmons,
PEOPLE,
11 Nov. 2025
-
Drizzle salad with 1/4 cup of the Dressing and toss again until evenly coated.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
9 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rubbed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rubbed. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
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