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
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
The team believes that rubs’ glow may be made from a combination of plant and tree sap and secretions from the animal’s forehead glands.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 14 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
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
The team believes that rubs’ glow may be made from a combination of plant and tree sap and secretions from the animal’s forehead glands.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 14 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rubs
Noun
-
Hantavirus, a rare disease typically caused by exposure to infected rodents’ urine or feces, can cause headaches, fever, gastrointestinal issues and respiratory problems.—
Lex Harvey,
CNN Money,
12 May 2026
-
Patient groups are jockeying for exemptions from Medicaid work requirements, but the unusually fast implementation timeline for states is causing headaches.—
John Wilkerson,
STAT,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
When inside, Hattuta said everyone wears masks and keeps a safe distance from each other.—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
8 May 2026
-
The plethora of works are markedly vibrant and fresh, from the Hamlet in Brooklyn who wears a beanie to the one who enjoys Bollywood-style dances in London.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
The production, directed with the brooding fluidity that is David Cromer’s calling card, is most alive in the evolving dynamic between Nick and Jacki, whose romance happens by degrees then all at once before reality intervenes and the criminal justice bureaucracy grinds to a halt.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The Food Processor quickly chops, slices, and shreds a wide array of ingredients for unlimited culinary creations, while the Coffee & Spice Grinder efficiently grinds coffee beans, spices, and herbs for superior flavor and potency.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
28 Apr. 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
-
Also known as seaberry, Fried says this plant is notable for its resistance to deer because of its sharp thorns and tree-like height.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Use clean pruners to trim away shoots, thorns, or roots along the soil and to help maintain the tree’s size.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Here in the muddy middle is where confidence erodes, not because the writer lacks ability but because the process becomes complex.—
JD Barker,
Rolling Stone,
8 May 2026
-
The pattern held up consistently — later-day caffeine pushes sleep back and erodes its quality.—
Samantha Agate,
Sacbee.com,
5 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
-
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
-
In the other direction, the PCS absorbs and smooths transients caused by sudden load swings in the data center that would otherwise disrupt the grid.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rubs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rubs. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
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