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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rubbing
Verb
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Ah, Gloria Jean’s Coffees must be grinding some java for an adventurous soul looking to try something different than a cup of Brim or Sanka.—
David Petitti,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Apr. 2025 -
The first possibility is that everyone tires of a grinding trade war, sues for peace, and reaches new bilateral agreements.—
Kevin Williams,
Quartz,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
In addition to polishing, 6D force sensors are an essential part of humanoid robots, greatly enhancing their entire performance.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Feb. 2025
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From tackling the many facets of artificial intelligence to polishing communication skills, ongoing learning is an everyday initiative for today’s savviest tech leaders.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes,
13 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The traditional barriers surrounding proprietary AI are eroding, ushering in a new era of innovation that will redefine the global AI race.—
Vandana Rana,
Forbes,
5 Mar. 2025
-
Gerrymandering reduces electoral competition, entrenches incumbents, and marginalizes whole communities, ultimately eroding public trust in democracy.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
This includes breaking laws and not filing taxes.—
Daniel R. Depetris,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Apr. 2025
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But even filing for arbitration could help frame Geekie’s contract.—
Fluto Shinzawa,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
Verb
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In the clubhouse, smoothing the path for Shohei Ohtani.—
Bill Plaschke,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Dec. 2024
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Powered by nourishing shea butter and jojoba oil, this silicone-free formula hydrates, softens, and enhances shine while smoothing unruly hair.—
Erin Parker,
Allure,
27 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The hems are finished with double stitching to prevent the edges from fraying or unraveling.—
Maggie Horton,
People.com,
8 Apr. 2025
-
Perspective, of course, is sometimes no match for the cold math of an underwhelming win streak or a locker room with fraying edges.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Helped by the transaxle layout, the massive power gains, and sublime styling inside and out, the Vantage also requires less of the sacrifices dictated by low-slung mid-engine supercars that demand constant vigilance to avoid scraping on speed bumps, rough canyon roads, or driveways.—
Michael Teo Van Runkle,
Forbes,
29 Dec. 2024
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The scraping sensations shouldn't be painful but may feel slightly uncomfortable.—
Carley Millhone,
Health,
27 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Start by buffing a small, out-of-sight area with any cleaning solutions listed to make sure there are no reactions or damage.—
Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott,
Southern Living,
16 Dec. 2024
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The outside of these types of receptacles need a bit of buffing with a dry microfiber towel to rid of fingerprints, smudges, and stains.—
Lauren Wicks,
Southern Living,
23 Nov. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Rubbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rubbing. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
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