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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of rubbing
At times, its puzzle-solving and chaotic arcade shooting felt like patting your head while rubbing your stomach.
—
Zackery Cuevas, PC Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
Toes may start rubbing together or overlapping, and the muscles that barefoot walking would normally engage, weaken.
—Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 20 Aug. 2025
On the other hand, rubbing can make a problem worse since this is what causes pilling in the first place.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 18 Aug. 2025
To apply, the brand recommends rubbing a small amount in an upward motion on the neck to best combat sagging.
—Clara McMahon, People.com, 15 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rubbing
Zackery Cuevas, PC Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
Toes may start rubbing together or overlapping, and the muscles that barefoot walking would normally engage, weaken.
—Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 20 Aug. 2025
On the other hand, rubbing can make a problem worse since this is what causes pilling in the first place.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 18 Aug. 2025
To apply, the brand recommends rubbing a small amount in an upward motion on the neck to best combat sagging.
—Clara McMahon, People.com, 15 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rubbing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rubbing
Verb
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The friends were both wearing some form of American flag on their outfits and were visiting from Syracuse, New York.—
BrieAnna J. Frank,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
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The style is perfect for wearing into the cooler months, as it can easily be layered over cozy knits.—
Christina Holevas,
Vogue,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Instead, the army became bogged down in a grinding war of attrition, and the West was stunned by Moscow’s poor battlefield performance.—
David Kirichenko,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
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Although Moscow's ground forces are being chewed up in the grinding war in Ukraine's east, Russia has wound up its defense industry to backfill its constant equipment losses and regular strikes across Ukraine.—
Ellie Cook — reporting from Prague, Czech Republic,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Silver Centerpieces For anyone who's ever gotten stuck polishing silver, there's good news.—
Heather Bien,
Southern Living,
3 Sep. 2025
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When growth takes off, there's often a temptation to start polishing everything.—
Mike Vietri,
Forbes.com,
27 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The Scatturice Network Expands While the economy provides the backdrop, multiple corruption cases continue eroding the Milei administration's credibility.—
Agustino Fontevecchia,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
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As Robert Putnam documented in Bowling Alone, the churches, neighborhood associations, and bowling leagues that once anchored American communities have steadily lost members and influence, eroding civic life and our trust in one another.—
Todd Rogers,
Time,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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For applicants, this begins with ensuring current compliance by filing all required returns, paying any outstanding liabilities, and meeting foreign asset and accounts information reporting obligations.—
Virginia La Torre Jeker,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
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Peter Homer, who represents Weatherington and White said Dumas was ousted from the board during a July 22 meeting and said Dumas has a history of filing lawsuits against former employers.—
Raisa Habersham,
Miami Herald,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Here are the 10 that experts and editors agree on, including frizz-smoothing serums, bond-repairing blends, and moisture-locking formulas that actually work.—
Jailynn Taylor,
Allure,
1 Sep. 2025
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From boosting hydration to smoothing texture, the benefits of snail mucin are well-documented among skincare enthusiasts.—
Karina Hoshikawa,
Refinery29,
26 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Advertisement Sports fandom has a special power to connect people, especially at a time when so many of our traditional civic bonds are fraying.—
Todd Rogers,
Time,
4 Sep. 2025
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About eight or nine hours into a punishing shoot, nerves were fraying, and Mike McGuirk was getting chewed out by a camera operator.—
Katie Kilkenny,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Sep. 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 9 Sep. 2025.
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