scrubbing

verb

present participle of scrub
as in scrapping
to put an end to (something planned or previously agreed to) the outdoor art project was scrubbed when the organizers found out they needed permission from city hall

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of scrubbing Start by scrubbing the area with a baking soda and water paste, rinse, and then spray with hydrogen peroxide and leave for 10 to 20 minutes. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 14 July 2026 Depending on the material of the grates, keep them clean by soaking and scrubbing with a few household ingredients. — Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 12 July 2026 Rather than tackling hardened residue with every scrubbing tool in your arsenal, most upkeep becomes a quick spray-and-leave step from a standing position. — Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 11 July 2026 Never worry about scrubbing away stains from your pets or children again with this powerful carpet and upholstery cleaner. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2026 Bissell’s best-selling carpet cleaner uses a combination of suction and scrubbing powers to seamlessly grab grime from upholstery. — Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 26 June 2026 Although the photographs span nearly two dozen countries and three decades, Power provides no captions, scrubbing his scenes of dates and descriptions. — Eren Orbey, New Yorker, 23 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scrubbing
  1. scrapping
  2. abandoning
  3. canceling
  4. revoking
  5. aborting
  6. repealing
Verb
  • Türkiye, the host of this year’s NATO summit, has advocated for scrapping the designation.
    — Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 8 July 2026
  • Jeon-Gi lives with his Korean family in Building A, scrapping with kids from other immigrant families in a weedy playground.
    — Hamilton Cain, Time, 7 July 2026
Definition of scrapping
Verb
  • This is self-transcendence—not abandoning the self but expanding beyond a narrow sense of it.
    — Yujia Zhu, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • While tackling expensive debt is a smart financial decision, abandoning your retirement has consequences.
    — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 1 July 2026
Definition of abandoning
Verb
  • It was incensed because cancelling the exhibition put every arts organization receiving even indirect government funding on notice.
    — Louis Menand, New Yorker, 13 July 2026
  • There is no shortage of policy proposals for reducing college costs, ranging from freezing tuition to canceling student debt.
    — Thomas Adam, Fortune, 13 July 2026
Definition of canceling
Verb
  • Another decision allows the administration to proceed with revoking temporary legal status for hundreds of thousands of immigrants.
    — Brittney Melton, NPR, 26 June 2026
  • Zelensky formally responded on Saturday in a decidedly undiplomatic post on X, subtly trashing the Polish government for revoking his award while not doing so with other historical awardees that many would object to.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 20 June 2026
Definition of revoking
Verb
  • Meanwhile, Antonelli made the mistake of aborting his lap, thinking there were double yellow flags.
    — Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 1 July 2026
  • The crew coordinated with air traffic control and performed a go-around, which involves aborting a landing attempt and climbing away from the runway, to avoid an American Airlines plane that was departing from an intersecting runway, The Guardian reported.
    — Adam England, PEOPLE, 22 June 2026
Definition of aborting
Verb
  • Advertisement In recent years, some church leaders have advocated for repealing the 19th Amendment, which gave American women the right to vote.
    — Chantelle Lee, Time, 9 July 2026
  • Congress also approved repealing comprehensive sanctions under the Caesar Syrian Civilian Protection Act.
    — Mariam Khan, ABC News, 8 July 2026
Definition of repealing

Browse Nearby Words

scrubbed
scrubbing
scrubby
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Cite this Entry

“Scrubbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scrubbing. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

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