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 polishes
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
Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Apr. 2026
Sourced from Springer Mountain Farms, they are brined overnight, slowly roasted in duck fat with Zepeddie’s seasoning blend, then flash fried and tossed in a selection of housemade sauces and rubs.
—Tristan Graziano, Charlotte Observer, 6 Apr. 2026
It can also be used for rubs, vinaigrettes, meats, and vegetables.
—Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 11 Mar. 2026
The Buffalo Wings come bone-in or boneless with a dizzying range of flavors and heat levels, from honey BBQ to mango habanero to keto-friendly dry rubs.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 7 Mar. 2026
So, to get noticed, deer mark areas with rubs and scrapes, known as signposts.
—New Atlas, 10 Feb. 2026
Barrel and Bones The smokehouse is offering two Game Day Wing Playoff Packs — one that includes 20 wings for $35 and another that includes 50 wings for $85 — with a variety of flavors, sauces and rubs.
—Zacharia Washington, Dallas Morning News, 6 Feb. 2026
After sitting for a few minutes, the original color rubs or peels away to reveal a natural-looking rosy stain.
—Grace McCarty, Glamour, 29 Jan. 2026
In their study describing the findings, published in Ecology and Evolution, the authors argue that these later marks are brighter because male deer antlers have fully hardened and their rubs can expose more inner wood.
—Anirban Mukhopadhyay, Scientific American, 21 Jan. 2026
Bestreviews, Mercury News, 15 May 2026
Expect wagyu brisket, lemon-zested ribs and rubs with hints of curry or tandoori.
—Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 May 2026
Give him lots of treats and belly rubs!
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
It can be added to marinades, soups, sauces, rubs, and is often on the table to be added to whatever dish is being served.
—Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 11 Mar. 2026
What rubs us the wrong way is the suggestion that this proposal is purely about sustainability.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026
This might happen because antler rubs strip bark away, revealing lignin-rich inner wood that reemits the longer wavelengths in a way bark does not.
—Anirban Mukhopadhyay, Scientific American, 21 Jan. 2026
Unfortunately, Martin’s blunt and borderline rude bedside manner rubs the quirky, needy locals the wrong way, including schoolteacher Louisa Gavin (Abigail Spencer).
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 21 Jan. 2026
There’s also Darem (George Hawkins), an arrogant rich-kid who immediately rubs Caleb the wrong way, and Genesis (Bella Shepard), a high-achieving nepo baby/admiral’s daughter who’s composed but competitive.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 15 Jan. 2026
Noun
Upgrade your rubs, soups, and pasta with just a sprinkle.
—Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Apr. 2026
Sourced from Springer Mountain Farms, they are brined overnight, slowly roasted in duck fat with Zepeddie’s seasoning blend, then flash fried and tossed in a selection of housemade sauces and rubs.
—Tristan Graziano, Charlotte Observer, 6 Apr. 2026
It can also be used for rubs, vinaigrettes, meats, and vegetables.
—Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 11 Mar. 2026
The Buffalo Wings come bone-in or boneless with a dizzying range of flavors and heat levels, from honey BBQ to mango habanero to keto-friendly dry rubs.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 7 Mar. 2026
So, to get noticed, deer mark areas with rubs and scrapes, known as signposts.
—New Atlas, 10 Feb. 2026
Barrel and Bones The smokehouse is offering two Game Day Wing Playoff Packs — one that includes 20 wings for $35 and another that includes 50 wings for $85 — with a variety of flavors, sauces and rubs.
—Zacharia Washington, Dallas Morning News, 6 Feb. 2026
After sitting for a few minutes, the original color rubs or peels away to reveal a natural-looking rosy stain.
—Grace McCarty, Glamour, 29 Jan. 2026
In their study describing the findings, published in Ecology and Evolution, the authors argue that these later marks are brighter because male deer antlers have fully hardened and their rubs can expose more inner wood.
—Anirban Mukhopadhyay, Scientific American, 21 Jan. 2026
Verb
The plastic bristles coax out loose hair as your cat rubs against it.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 15 May 2026
Expect wagyu brisket, lemon-zested ribs and rubs with hints of curry or tandoori.
—Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 May 2026
Give him lots of treats and belly rubs!
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
It can be added to marinades, soups, sauces, rubs, and is often on the table to be added to whatever dish is being served.
—Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 11 Mar. 2026
What rubs us the wrong way is the suggestion that this proposal is purely about sustainability.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026
This might happen because antler rubs strip bark away, revealing lignin-rich inner wood that reemits the longer wavelengths in a way bark does not.
—Anirban Mukhopadhyay, Scientific American, 21 Jan. 2026
Unfortunately, Martin’s blunt and borderline rude bedside manner rubs the quirky, needy locals the wrong way, including schoolteacher Louisa Gavin (Abigail Spencer).
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 21 Jan. 2026
There’s also Darem (George Hawkins), an arrogant rich-kid who immediately rubs Caleb the wrong way, and Genesis (Bella Shepard), a high-achieving nepo baby/admiral’s daughter who’s composed but competitive.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 15 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rubs
Noun
-
The need to seek alternative Internet fiber routes comes on top of Big Tech’s other headaches from the war and Strait of Hormuz crisis.—
Jeremy Hsu,
ArsTechnica,
19 May 2026
-
Scarlett Johansson is Hester, Irwin’s wife, whose terrible headaches and blurred vision result in a devastating medical diagnosis.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
Julianne Hough wears her shorty-shorts to show off her glorious dancer legs at the Disney Upfront in New York City on May 12.—
People Staff,
PEOPLE,
15 May 2026
-
Most of the shirts Mason wears follow a visual script that is different from your standardized button-downs.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
When Kansas City Royals manager Matt Quatraro raises his hand skyward, all on-field action grinds to a halt.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
14 May 2026
-
Their offensive flow grinds to a halt.—
Hunter Patterson,
New York Times,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
From there, Sharrow thins down its propeller to precise specification with a five-axis CNC machine and polishes it.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Their bestselling Regenerating Cleanser gently polishes away impurities and dullness to reveal a healthy-looking, radiant glow, clinically proven to make skin look brighter, smoother, more hydrated and pores look smaller.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Removing the thorns may help our favorite novels appeal to a wider audience, but such refinements make art feel as lifeless as Catherine Linton’s corpse at the end of Emerald Fennell’s film.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 May 2026
-
That’s a whole lot of people — 24 of the 30 in this group alone — and Vought really isn’t helping their case with their hilariously corny promo of Jesus Christ himself passing the torch (or rather the crown of thorns).—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Inconsistent tone weakens the brand, while inaccurate content or misaligned personalization erodes customer trust and costs conversions.—
Georg Ell,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
-
Democrats plan to push weekly war powers votes and military funding limits as Republican support erodes, partly driven by concerns about rising gas prices heading into November elections.—
Stephen Groves,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Sawdust sprays as Matt Sams meticulously sands the edges of a balcony railing that will soon be affixed to the front of a house.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Chapman sands his board occasionally to remove this top layer of funk.—
Matt Fuchs,
Time,
24 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
That combination slows digestion, smooths blood sugar, and provides steady fuel without the heaviness of a second meal.—
Allison Palmer,
Charlotte Observer,
19 May 2026
-
Check out this conditioner that smooths and softens strands while adding a bit of shine, so your hair looks healthier without a ton of effort.—
Toni Sutton,
PEOPLE,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rubs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rubs. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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