as in headache
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 to wear
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 to sand
to make smooth by friction
the furniture restorer rubbed the board perfectly smooth with sandpaper
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to polish
to make smooth or glossy usually by repeatedly applying surface pressure
the butler rubbed the silver tea set until it gleamed
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of rub
Leslie Kelly, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
More From Newsweek Vault: Walmart+ Members Get New Perk Aimed at Pet Owners
In the clip, Mady walks through the door, and Chippie immediately rolls onto her back, pleading for belly rubs.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
Sarah Han, Allure, 23 Jan. 2025
Put it on your pressure points, behind your ear, rub it in between your thighs.
—Martine Thompson, Essence, 23 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for rub 
Noun
The finishing touch is a special spice blend that’s referred to as the Rendezvous dry rub.
—Leslie Kelly, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
More From Newsweek Vault: Walmart+ Members Get New Perk Aimed at Pet Owners
In the clip, Mady walks through the door, and Chippie immediately rolls onto her back, pleading for belly rubs.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
Verb
Apply Manyo Factory's Cleansing Oil to dry skin and give yourself a gentle massage, rubbing the formula in circular motions to break down every last bit of makeup and sunscreen before emulsifying with a bit of water, and then washing it off completely.
—Sarah Han, Allure, 23 Jan. 2025
Put it on your pressure points, behind your ear, rub it in between your thighs.
—Martine Thompson, Essence, 23 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for rub
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rub
Noun
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Severe infections may include aches, headaches, elevated fever, lethargy, rashes, and blood in the urine or stool.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA TODAY,
4 Feb. 2025
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Side effects reported with valerian include headache, dizziness, skin rash, and nausea.—
Kirstyn Hill, PharmD, MPH,
Health,
3 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Alongside her lacy dresses, which have been worn by the likes of Julia Fox and musician Chloe Bailey, Kucharska also uses latex to build bags from scratch.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN,
4 Feb. 2025
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The model was wearing a baby blue satin mini dress with separate panels at the breasts.—
Aamina Inayat Khan,
StyleCaster,
4 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The wood is cut and typically sanded and painted, using the kit’s axles and wheels.—
Karie Angell Luc,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Jan. 2025
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Nubuck leather is formed from the top of the animal hide which is finely sanded and buffed to produce the softest, velvety leather finish.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
22 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Gentle physical exfoliants can also help polish away dead skin without irritation.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
4 Feb. 2025
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This prompt works wonders for polishing your work and pointing out improvements.—
Kim Komando,
Fox News,
3 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Bournemouth were on an 11-game unbeaten streak, rightfully lauded for their disruptive, physically intense style of play that has been the thorn in many sides this season.—
Mark Carey,
The Athletic,
3 Feb. 2025
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There’s Cactus, which got thorns stuck in its body; Sugar Baby, whose wings were destroyed from being drenched in sugar water; Jimmy, who fell out of a tree after its mother died; and Larry Bird, suffering from a back injury.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
10 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Yasmine Saad, a licensed clinical psychologist, notes that such patterns of behavior, when persistent, can erode family bonds.—
Anders Fogh Rasmussen,
Newsweek,
5 Feb. 2025
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Imposing unilateral tariffs on Canada and Mexico without exhausting legal remedies provided for under the USMCA erodes trust with key trading partners.—
Dewardric L. McNeal,
CNBC,
3 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The Jordan Feed Mill has recently won a certificate from the Ralston Purina Company for the accuracy and uniformity of its custom grinding service.—
Bernice Hoffman,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
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The Avs weathered a grinding opening period to pull away for a 2-0 victory over the Flyers at Ball Arena.—
Kyle Newman,
The Denver Post,
2 Feb. 2025
Verb
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On his way to the Barcelona bench, Flick stopped him and had a friendly chat with Yamal to smooth things over.—
Pol Ballús,
The Athletic,
3 Feb. 2025
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After downloading it to their phones and entering their passport information, foreign nationals could use the application to smooth their way through border crossings and airports.—
Melissa Gomez,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Rub.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rub. Accessed 13 Feb. 2025.
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