rubbing

verb

Definition of rubbingnext
present participle of rub
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

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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

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 rubbing For instance, Qidi had to include a piece of Velcro to prevent the Polar Cooler tube from rubbing against the glass surface inside the top cover. — Michael Lydick, PC Magazine, 15 Aug. 2026 Republicans are rubbing their hands in glee at the neocommunist advance in their opposing party. — Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026 Rather than rubbing the stain deeper into the fabric, blotting motions will gently remove as much product as possible. — Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 6 Aug. 2026 According to the complaint, Trevino purchased a Colsen tabletop fire pit from Amazon in February 2021 and two bottles of medical-grade isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol to use as fuel. — Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026 Holding them close to you or gently rubbing their back or belly provides warmth and security. — Hannah Nwoko, Parents, 5 Aug. 2026 Coat the exterior of the pork with 2 teaspoons salt and 2 teaspoons pumpkin spice, rubbing it into the meat. — Kate Williams, AJC.com, 3 Aug. 2026 The soft straps keep your foot secure without rubbing, while subtle height adds polish without sacrificing comfort. — Paris Wilson, Travel + Leisure, 31 July 2026 Even the straps are made with comfort in mind, thanks to a supersoft jersey lining that prevents rubbing and chafing. — Kate Donovan, Southern Living, 30 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rubbing
  1. wearing
  2. grinding
  3. polishing
  4. eroding
  5. filing
  6. smoothing
  7. fraying
  8. sanding
Verb
  • Police described the intruder as a 6-foot-tall skinny Black man between 30 and 40 years old, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt.
    — Logan Hall, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Crystal Kung-Minkoff is the first to show up, wearing the titular trousers.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of wearing
Verb
  • The lineup has expanded beyond its viral multi-balm, too, with lightweight SPF sticks and even a mess-minimizing grinding cleansing balm.
    — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Buy The stainless-steel drain of the Composer One garbage disposal seals to dampen sound while grinding food.
    — Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of grinding
Verb
  • For many job seekers, writing another version of a resume or polishing a LinkedIn profile isn't the hard part.
    — Zulekha Nathoo, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Under this law, employers are required to take steps to protect workers, such as providing protective respirators and using water to suppress dust, when employees are cutting, grinding or polishing slabs.
    — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of polishing
Verb
  • The program was part of a mid-century campaign that sought assimilation while eroding tribal sovereignty.
    — Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Structured gifts tend to build responsibility instead of eroding it.
    — Jonathan I. Shenkman, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of eroding
Verb
  • For the overtime tax break, eligible workers can deduct a portion — up to $12,500 for single tax filers or $25,000 for married couples filing jointly — of qualifying overtime on their tax return.
    — Sarah Agostino, CNBC, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The public hearing was held amid some backlash against the rollout, which has sparked confusion and has had some homeowners filing legal challenges.
    — Jennifer Bisram, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of filing
Verb
  • The combination bristles feel amazing on my scalp (like the best head scratch ever) while also smoothing my incredibly frizzy hair.
    — Kiana Murden, Vogue, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Water from the lakes is also used to generate hydroelectric power and to ensure a steady, predictable flow of water downstream, smoothing the water supply during droughts and when snowpack in the Rocky Mountains is low.
    — Matthew Glasser, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of smoothing
Verb
  • More drones and missiles are slipping through both sides’ fraying air defenses, meaning that the civilian death toll has increased, and more critical infrastructure is being damaged.
    — Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The accusations only make Winifred, who has secretly been dealing with a rapidly fraying psyche, more paranoid, leading to bloody and dangerous consequences.
    — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 30 July 2026
Definition of fraying
Verb
  • Before planting any hibiscus seeds, start by nicking or sanding the seeds using fine-grade sandpaper or the tip of a knife.
    — Shelby Vittek, The Spruce, 15 Aug. 2026
  • The rooms All Volcanoes lodges are hand-built and use no machinery (apart from sanding) by their team of builders, carpenters, welders, and fundi/artisans, from the papyrus roof to the bedside lamps.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 July 2026
Definition of sanding

Browse Nearby Words

rubbery
rubbing
rubbing elbows
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Cite this Entry

“Rubbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rubbing. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on rubbing

Nglish: Translation of rubbing for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about rubbing

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