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
The slightly higher cut helps prevent sneakers from rubbing your ankle or the top of your foot.
—
Malia Griggs, Glamour, 31 Mar. 2026
So, the timing for Mortensen to be making his second show debut right as his ex’s is being pulled off the air is rubbing fans the wrong way.
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 30 Mar. 2026
He is accused of touching the girl’s genitals and rubbing her thighs.
—Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026
And Webb, rubbing his hands together, is best suited to use him.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rubbing
Malia Griggs, Glamour, 31 Mar. 2026
So, the timing for Mortensen to be making his second show debut right as his ex’s is being pulled off the air is rubbing fans the wrong way.
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 30 Mar. 2026
He is accused of touching the girl’s genitals and rubbing her thighs.
—Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026
And Webb, rubbing his hands together, is best suited to use him.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rubbing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rubbing
Verb
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That moment came courtesy of a guy wearing a Cubs uniform, but Monday grew up in Santa Monica and delivered his spontaneous commemoration of Flag Day in the year of America’s bicentennial.—
Bill Shaikin,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Apr. 2026
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And the University of San Francisco issued a public safety warning to students after a man wearing Ray-Ban Meta sunglasses was suspected of filming women with the intention of posting the videos online.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
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There were the metal bats, the shorter schedule and a sense that nothing could replace the seasoning that came with years of grinding through professional baseball’s minor leagues.—
David Brandt,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Apr. 2026
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Catcher Brady Murrietta has been like a superhero for Orange Lutheran behind the plate, leading, grinding and delivering.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
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After 10 to 20 passes, repeat the same process on the ceramic polishing rods, if the sharpener has them.—
Jesse Raub,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
30 Mar. 2026
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The program acts almost like a navigation map for individuals intent on entering the sector, from polishing resumes to grasping industry dynamics.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Despite nationwide polls showing eroding support, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán retains strong backing in rural communities and among older Hungarians, who credit him with representing their interests and maintaining national pride.—
Justin Spike,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
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In the years following the departure of Ailes, many critics further assailed the network for eroding any line between news reporting and commentary and political advocacy.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Advances in storage density, and the digitization of everything from filing taxes to laying out magazines, changed this calculus.—
Julian Lucas,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
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The amount beneficiaries receive varies based on several factors, including the number of people filing.—
Asher Notheis,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Wire-free and closure-free construction for comfort with wide smoothing back and sides.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Not to mention, they’re made with 360-degree tummy control, waist-definition, and a back-smoothing design.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Knowles keeps the atmosphere leaden when the story surfaces in the present, in which Willy is 63, fraying with disappointment and banged up from several car crashes out on his long runs — events that his family is starting to fear aren’t accidents.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
10 Apr. 2026
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This mischievous psychothriller takes that premise to new, nerve-fraying levels.—
Matt Cabral,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Use a garden hose, leaf blower, or shop vac to get rid of sanding dust.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
10 Apr. 2026
-
So, Navon and her husband undertook a full restoration, sanding and staining them a honey-oak hue that warms up the home from the ground up.—
Shagun Khare,
The Spruce,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rubbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rubbing. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
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