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
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of rubs
Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 26 Oct. 2025
So rubs offer both visual and scent clues for deer.
—Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 16 Oct. 2025
These include wanting to be near you, keeping eye contact, following you everywhere, and showing affection through cuddles or face rubs.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Oct. 2025
The hugs, kisses and belly rubs are not ending for Sgt.
—Craig Shoup, Nashville Tennessean, 28 Sep. 2025
While his rubs are spiked with both Old Bay and Pakistani flavors, his menu is inspired more by road trips he’s taken.
—Farhan Mustafa, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Sep. 2025
Leader delights in offering up her belly for rubs or kissing the faces of new friends.
—Jen Reeder, Forbes.com, 15 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
Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
For a deeper dive into DeRose-Broeckert’s findings about how deer perceive scrapes and rubs, head over to NDA.
—Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 16 Oct. 2025
Specifically, Byron’s enthusiasm for Guinness — the beer and the family — rubs him the wrong way.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2025
Ray, grateful for the distraction, rubs my Lab behind his ears and tells me how much Michelle loved dogs.
—Ted Katauskas, Outside, 23 Sep. 2025
As the moon clashes with Mars, a partner’s behavior rubs you the wrong way.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
Lenker, in plaid, rubs her eyes; James Krivchenia leans forward, sparky and alert; Meek, outdoors in the Topanga sunshine, wears cycling glasses and a frowzy hat.
—Emma Madden, Pitchfork, 4 Sep. 2025
And because fall is all about staying cozy-slash-comfy while being on your feet all day, the Bae delivers support via its ultra-contoured outsole, accommodating toe box, and collar that, though made of the rubber-adjacent Croslite proprietary material, never rubs at your feet or causes blisters.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2025
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
Noun
It’s filled with global flavors and spice mixes for a variety of different meals, including barbecue rubs, Mediterranean blends, Italian blends, steak rubs, and more.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 26 Oct. 2025
So rubs offer both visual and scent clues for deer.
—Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 16 Oct. 2025
These include wanting to be near you, keeping eye contact, following you everywhere, and showing affection through cuddles or face rubs.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Oct. 2025
The hugs, kisses and belly rubs are not ending for Sgt.
—Craig Shoup, Nashville Tennessean, 28 Sep. 2025
While his rubs are spiked with both Old Bay and Pakistani flavors, his menu is inspired more by road trips he’s taken.
—Farhan Mustafa, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Sep. 2025
Leader delights in offering up her belly for rubs or kissing the faces of new friends.
—Jen Reeder, Forbes.com, 15 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
The video shows the pup lounging around in various positions in a home setting, from asleep on the floor and over a blanket to playing with a dog toy and lying on the floor with her legs in the air as a hand rubs her belly.
—Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
For a deeper dive into DeRose-Broeckert’s findings about how deer perceive scrapes and rubs, head over to NDA.
—Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 16 Oct. 2025
Specifically, Byron’s enthusiasm for Guinness — the beer and the family — rubs him the wrong way.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2025
Ray, grateful for the distraction, rubs my Lab behind his ears and tells me how much Michelle loved dogs.
—Ted Katauskas, Outside, 23 Sep. 2025
As the moon clashes with Mars, a partner’s behavior rubs you the wrong way.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
Lenker, in plaid, rubs her eyes; James Krivchenia leans forward, sparky and alert; Meek, outdoors in the Topanga sunshine, wears cycling glasses and a frowzy hat.
—Emma Madden, Pitchfork, 4 Sep. 2025
And because fall is all about staying cozy-slash-comfy while being on your feet all day, the Bae delivers support via its ultra-contoured outsole, accommodating toe box, and collar that, though made of the rubber-adjacent Croslite proprietary material, never rubs at your feet or causes blisters.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rubs
Noun
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Side effects may include stomach issues, headaches, and rare kidney problems from contamination.—
Sarah Anzlovar,
Verywell Health,
23 Oct. 2025
-
In the year before his death, Thomas had been struggling with his mental health, as well as daily headaches and memory loss, his parents said at the time.—
Natasha Dye,
PEOPLE,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Greenwich Village still wears its history like a second skin, every street a pulse of old New York.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
27 Oct. 2025
-
With one of largest concentrations of military bases in the country (each year, nearly 40,000 military trainees call it home), San Antonio wears its 300-year military legacy with pride.—
Symiah Dorsey,
Southern Living,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
At bottom, that’s the thing that grinds my gears.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Oct. 2025
-
The Luxe Café automatically grinds beans to the appropriate size and volume for your drink, and has a hands-free frothing system for creating hot and cold foam.—
Mark Marino,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
4 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
To eat the nopales, remove the spines (spikes, thorns, or barbs) and use them raw in salads or cooked in soups or tacos.—
Barbie Cervoni,
Verywell Health,
22 Oct. 2025
-
What fantastic fantasies will lure risk-seeking treasure hunters to breach the massive walls of iron thorns surrounding mysterious radioactive caverns buried deep in the deserts?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The main channel of the Amazon River constantly erodes existing land and deposits new earth.—
Isa Cardona,
CNN Money,
23 Oct. 2025
-
As the seven-week timeline erodes, some lawmakers have also shown a desire to pass a short-term funding bill that would reopen the government until late next year — but Democrats have shown resistance to that idea, too.—
Jessie Opoien,
jsonline.com,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The single-button power control is a favorite feature of our reviewer Williams, as well as the fluffy optic cleaner head that cleans and polishes her hard floors.—
Nashia Baker,
Architectural Digest,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Next, the gel polishes themselves had to work with the specific wavelengths of the Olive & June lamp.—
Megan McIntyre,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
This particular aspect of the show frays the gripping tone that had been so masterfully crafted from its opening scene.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Conjuring the troubled inner life of a young, beautiful and successful Buenos Aires fashion designer with an uncommon mix of stylistic rigor and feeling, the film frays your nerves.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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During all holidays and at frequent Italian dinners in-between, the family keeps their edge — and sharpens Liv’s — in intense games of Nerts (a fast-paced, multiplayer card game), flag football, cornhole, washers, wiffleball and various other games.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
23 Oct. 2025
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Visual literacy involves the act of reading imagery that sharpens your critical thinking, focus, and precision.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
20 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rubs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rubs. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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