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
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Recent Examples of rubbing
Her mother would visit the godparents’ shop and was treated to a bunch of free dresses, while little Oslyn made her way through the rows, rubbing those pretty dresses against her face.
—
Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Sep. 2025
When Kershaw turned to walk away, the team’s social media cameras caught the 37-year-old veteran rubbing at the tears in his eyes.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 28 Sep. 2025
Avoid rubbing the sting and monitor for signs of allergic reaction or shock.
—Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 25 Sep. 2025
Over the last six seasons of her talk show, Barrymore has fielded both criticism and praise for her signature snug interviews, which often see her holding hands, rubbing shoulders, and hugging her guests.
—Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rubbing
Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Sep. 2025
When Kershaw turned to walk away, the team’s social media cameras caught the 37-year-old veteran rubbing at the tears in his eyes.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 28 Sep. 2025
Avoid rubbing the sting and monitor for signs of allergic reaction or shock.
—Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 25 Sep. 2025
Over the last six seasons of her talk show, Barrymore has fielded both criticism and praise for her signature snug interviews, which often see her holding hands, rubbing shoulders, and hugging her guests.
—Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rubbing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rubbing
Verb
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Like the rest of the staff, Darwent is wearing a Newcastle tracksuit rather than a suit and tie.—
George Caulkin,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
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And the combination of four-wheel drive and Michelin Cup 2 R tires delivers so much traction (on dry asphalt, at least) that the car seems to be wearing running spikes.—
Tim Pitt,
Robb Report,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
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That hypnotizing aroma may be one thing, but there is actually a science to grinding coffee.—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
15 Oct. 2025
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But the patient, grinding work of peace implementation typically bores him.—
Bobby Ghosh,
Time,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Venus ends its Virgo run in your communication house, polishing your words with discernment.—
Dossé-Via Trenou,
Refinery29,
5 Oct. 2025
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Over the course of the next 36 years, McNally returned to the script again and again, rewriting, restaging, refining and polishing it into something that eventually became one of Broadway’s biggest hits of 2014 and ’15.—
Rob Hubbard,
Twin Cities,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Polls show Jones' support eroding, and experts like Farnsworth believe even a win in November won’t erase the damage.—
Jesus Mesa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
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In a new essay co-written with Harvard University professor Robert Waldinger — titled The Power of Human Connection in a Distracted World — Kate, 43, reflected on how technology is eroding our ability to truly connect.—
Janine Henni,
PEOPLE,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Ferguson’s lawyers tried to get him out of jail, filing a motion that accused the woman of having made similar false accusations against others, court records show.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
13 Oct. 2025
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The number was made public in a court filing the same day from the Justice Department, after the White House delivered on its threat of a fresh wave of firings across the federal workforce.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
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This bra has wide straps, side-smoothing panels, and an allover stretchy fit — sans wires poking you in the ribcage.—
Jeaneen Russell,
PEOPLE,
14 Oct. 2025
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Truly, the gadget is that girl — capable of smoothing, de-frizzing, and adding effortless bounce to your locks while granting damage-free curls thanks to Shark’s Coanda technology (which automatically wraps strands around the barrel, saving you the time and hassle of DIYing it).—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Al-Omari is uneasy about signs that Arab unity on disarmament is already fraying.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
11 Oct. 2025
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But already the controls are fraying.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Even the DeSantis administration might have some qualms about sanding off crosswalk markings within sight of the club where 49 people died in the early morning hours of June 12, 2016.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 Aug. 2025
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The acid can stain or discolor the surface, possibly requiring sanding to remove.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
18 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rubbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rubbing. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.
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