1
as in wearing
to damage or diminish by continued friction
the brake pads were rubbed away as a result of years of use
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in grinding
to make smooth by friction
the furniture restorer rubbed the board perfectly smooth with sandpaper
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in polishing
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 rubbing
My wife lowers her gaze as if tired, rubbing the side of her glass with her fingers.
—
Literary Hub, 11 June 2026
Get rid of static cling by rubbing a dryer sheet directly onto your legs, socks, or tights to stop skirts or pants from riding up your legs.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 9 June 2026
Sources told the outlet that the pair had a smiley chat, while White's date was also seen rubbing his leg.
—Christina Perrier, InStyle, 1 June 2026
Cholowsky wrapped both his arms around the boy and lowered his head onto the crown of the blue helmet, absentmindedly rubbing his back.
—Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for rubbing
Literary Hub, 11 June 2026
Get rid of static cling by rubbing a dryer sheet directly onto your legs, socks, or tights to stop skirts or pants from riding up your legs.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 9 June 2026
Sources told the outlet that the pair had a smiley chat, while White's date was also seen rubbing his leg.
—Christina Perrier, InStyle, 1 June 2026
Cholowsky wrapped both his arms around the boy and lowered his head onto the crown of the blue helmet, absentmindedly rubbing his back.
—Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for rubbing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rubbing
Verb
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As an adult, Aemond is vicious, tactical and easily identifiable by wearing an eye patch over a blue glass ball where his eye used to be.—
Skyler Trepel,
PEOPLE,
22 June 2026
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The offender is described as an African-American man between 40-45 years of age, weighing 180-200 pounds, and was last seen wearing a gray/black baseball cap, a light blue shirt, gray pants, and black gym shoes.—
Jeramie Bizzle,
CBS News,
22 June 2026
Verb
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Yet Marketplace Pulse research shows only 23% of sellers are growing revenue and improving margins at the same time; the rest are either grinding or distressed.—
Dani Nadel,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026
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The grinding process will leave a large mound of chips mixed with soil that will need to be removed and replaced with topsoil.—
Tim Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
21 June 2026
Verb
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The deceptively roomy, buttery-smooth leather style features a convertible crossbody strap, metal feet, interior pockets, and an outfit-polishing silhouette.—
Olivia Cigliano,
InStyle,
13 June 2026
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Prioritizing Features Over User Intent A common user experience mistake is polishing the surface instead of solving for the moment of intent.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
Verb
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Starmer led the Labour party to a landslide victory in July 2024 and ever since, his popularity has been eroding thanks to a persistently high cost of living, an anemic economy and a scandal over his willingness to accept gifts from wealthy donors.—
James Cirrone,
FOXNews.com,
19 June 2026
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The internet's foundational assumption of human participation is eroding as AI agents become indistinguishable from people.—
Sean Lee,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
Verb
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The rural counties filing near zero RPOs are not failing because red-flag laws do not work in conservative communities.—
Christopher Carita,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 June 2026
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Due date for individual taxpayers filing on extension (payment was still due April 15).—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2026
Verb
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This one’s made with a blend of recycled materials and spandex, which reviewers say is thick and comfortably smoothing, and features adjustable criss-cross back straps and a shelf bra.—
Olivia Cigliano,
InStyle,
20 June 2026
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True to its name, the lightweight styler enhances your natural texture while smoothing flyaways and boosting softness (no heat required).—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
19 June 2026
Verb
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And that net of community health workers who serve as links between families and this lifesaving treatment is fraying.—
Jonathan Lambert,
NPR,
13 June 2026
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New York was broke, fraying at the edges and dangerous in ways that became part of its mythology.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
13 June 2026
Verb
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During a walk-through for reporters on Thursday, construction noises — particularly sanding and hammering — could be heard.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 June 2026
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Then sanding, priming, spraying back at my own shop to create numerous avatars of her including a male trixter hero version named the ‘Frozen Charlatan’ who is the chrome metallic alter ego.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
9 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rubbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rubbing. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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