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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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 9 Jan. 2026.
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