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
Because the surface of the cornea contains multiple tiny microabrasions from your contact rubbing against it, these can function as openings for the amoeba to infiltrate—and the longer you’re exposed to it, the further in it can burrow.
—
Holly Burns, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
Licensing officials also investigated educators accused of grooming behaviors like flirting with children, spending non-school time alone and isolated with students, or invading students’ personal space by rubbing their shoulders, thighs and lower backs.
—Danielle Duclos, jsonline.com, 17 Oct. 2025
They have been recorded grabbing toxic millipedes and, rather than avoiding them, chewing and rubbing the secretions into their fur, especially around sensitive areas.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2025
Add the remaining oil mixture and turn the chicken to coat, rubbing the oil between the skin and meat.
—Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rubbing
Holly Burns, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
Licensing officials also investigated educators accused of grooming behaviors like flirting with children, spending non-school time alone and isolated with students, or invading students’ personal space by rubbing their shoulders, thighs and lower backs.
—Danielle Duclos, jsonline.com, 17 Oct. 2025
They have been recorded grabbing toxic millipedes and, rather than avoiding them, chewing and rubbing the secretions into their fur, especially around sensitive areas.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2025
Add the remaining oil mixture and turn the chicken to coat, rubbing the oil between the skin and meat.
—Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rubbing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rubbing
Verb
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Two men sat on either side of her, one in a hat with WHO RESCUED WHO stitched across it and the other wearing a pearl-button shirt.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Nov. 2025
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Madden brought an '80s rocker vibe to show, wearing a skull on his belt and a bandana on his head.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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And when daily wear and tear was simulated – through continuous electric-toothbrush abrasion equivalent to about a year of brushing, as well as chewing and grinding – the teeth actually had superior resistance to wear, fracture and acid attack compared with natural enamel.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
5 Nov. 2025
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After more than a decade grinding in the pop machine, something about Zara Larsson finally clicked this summer.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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At one point, convinced that one of the screenwriters who was on set polishing the script was leaking information to Weinstein, Scorsese rushed into the office and flung his desk out the window.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
22 Oct. 2025
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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
Verb
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Higher insurance and financing costs would be reflected as a sanctions premium on Russian crude, widening the discount to Brent and eroding Russia’s net revenue, the analysis said.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
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But Congress has increasingly rejected his agenda, underscoring his eroding grip on power.—
NPR,
NPR,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Patterson, then a 20-year department veteran, entered settlement talks with the city several years after filing the lawsuit.—
Amber Gaudet,
Charlotte Observer,
3 Nov. 2025
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Others advised legal action, beginning with filing a police report.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Spanx Supersmooth Perfect Fit Ponte Micro Flare Pant Speaking of smoothing, these dress pants have compression from waist to knee and a subtle flare leg — like your favorite yoga pants but office appropriate.—
Maggie Horton,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
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Hyaluronic acid attracts and retains moisture within each hair fiber, glycerin locks in hydration while smoothing the cuticle, and dimethicone helps detangle and create a sleek, polished finish.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The line between college sports—at least at the power conference level—and pro sports appears to be fraying and, thus far, hasn’t deterred college fans from following their favorite teams.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
24 Oct. 2025
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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
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 6 Nov. 2025.
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