as in headaches
something that is a source of irritation
even what seems to be a dream job usually turns out to have its fair share of rubs
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in wears
to damage or diminish by continued friction
the brake pads were rubbed away as a result of years of use
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in grinds
to make smooth by friction
the furniture restorer rubbed the board perfectly smooth with sandpaper
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in smoothes
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 rubs
Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
As Elordi rests his head on Isaac’s shoulder to re-create their complicated on-screen bond, Layla receives belly rubs from members of our crew.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 20 Aug. 2025
The fresh dry rubs join Popeyes’ returning sauce flavors — Signature Hot, Sweet ‘N Spicy and Honey BBQ — giving wing lovers seven bold wing flavor options to choose from.
—Moná Thomas, People.com, 18 Aug. 2025
Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Today's their day for extra treats, belly rubs, and squirrel-chasing adventures at the park!
—Ronnie Li, USA Today, 23 Aug. 2025
These blisters form a rash that often appears on the chest, shoulders, neck, thighs, along skin folds, and anywhere else your skin rubs against clothing.
—Rachael Zimlich, Verywell Health, 4 Aug. 2025
Noun
There are also four new dry rubs designed to broaden flavor choices for consumers for football season.
—Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
As Elordi rests his head on Isaac’s shoulder to re-create their complicated on-screen bond, Layla receives belly rubs from members of our crew.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 20 Aug. 2025
The fresh dry rubs join Popeyes’ returning sauce flavors — Signature Hot, Sweet ‘N Spicy and Honey BBQ — giving wing lovers seven bold wing flavor options to choose from.
—Moná Thomas, People.com, 18 Aug. 2025
Verb
These lumps typically develop in areas of the body where the skin rubs together, and can be recurrent.
—Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Today's their day for extra treats, belly rubs, and squirrel-chasing adventures at the park!
—Ronnie Li, USA Today, 23 Aug. 2025
These blisters form a rash that often appears on the chest, shoulders, neck, thighs, along skin folds, and anywhere else your skin rubs against clothing.
—Rachael Zimlich, Verywell Health, 4 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rubs
Noun
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At the higher doses, most people had brief hallucinations or visual distortions, along with some nausea and headaches.—
Dr. Christian S. Monsalve,
ABC News,
4 Sep. 2025
-
The exhausted teen has headaches and blurred vision sleeps about 75% of the day.—
Wendy Grossman Kantor,
PEOPLE,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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First, Temi Otedola wears Christopher John Rogers to her legal wedding ceremony in Monaco.—
Essence,
Essence,
8 Sep. 2025
-
In the picture, Duggar holds her son, who wears a gray onesie and stares into the camera.—
Hannah Sacks,
People.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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As the summer season grinds to a near halt, several holdover titles rounded out the top five.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
24 Aug. 2025
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As Russia’s war machine grinds forward in eastern Ukraine, there is another offensive being waged far beyond the front line.—
Rachel Wilson,
CNN Money,
22 Aug. 2025
Noun
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One was treated for minor injuries, likely from rose-bush thorns, Christensen said.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
22 Aug. 2025
-
Both the northern and southern branches of the reef have been battered lately by tropical storms and the encroachment of invasive coral-eating crown-of-thorns starfish, but heat stress driven by warming oceans is the primary cause, scientists told the BBC.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
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If trust in the institution erodes this will have a negative effect on public life more generally, calling into question the impartiality of the justice system.—
Kate Plummer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
-
As cognitive capacity goes location-independent and costs plummet, the very logic for large, talent-dense firms erodes.—
Leslie Lee,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Plenty of brands already offer or are transitioning to TPO-free formulas that contain different photoinitiators (a chemical that makes gel polishes cure under a lamp instead of air-drying like regular polish) such as TPO-L, BAPO, or other resin initiators.—
Hannah Nwoko,
Parents,
5 Sep. 2025
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The vacuum has a fluffy optic cleaner head that not only cleans but also polishes hard floors.—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Capital might fuel expansion, but the process also sharpens leadership skills, deepens industry relationships and often reveals operational blind spots.—
Jessica Billingsley,
Rolling Stone,
2 Sep. 2025
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Here, the messenger planet sharpens our focus and general attunement, urging us to choose our words and actions carefully.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Infused with sustainably sourced argan oil and boosted with vitamin E, this lightweight formula smooths frizz and flyaways instantly while adding a glassy shine.—
Jailynn Taylor,
Allure,
1 Sep. 2025
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Oliver Assayas’ topical drama The Wizard of the Kremlin, revolving around a scheming Russian spin doctor who smooths Vladimir Putin’s ascent to power in the 1990s, world premiered in Venice this afternoon.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
31 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rubs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rubs. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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