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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 29 Aug. 2025
In 2023, an Arlington entrepreneur saw his special BBQ rub make it on H-E-B shelves.
—Matthew Leclercq, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Aug. 2025
Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Other signs that your cat is content and relaxed with you include kneading, and head rubbing and bunting.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rub
Noun
But Oluwaseyi’s climb to the higher echelons of the sport is the understood, yet bittersweet rub for MLS, which is high-level soccer but not, say, the NBA, NFL, NHL or Major League Baseball.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 29 Aug. 2025
In 2023, an Arlington entrepreneur saw his special BBQ rub make it on H-E-B shelves.
—Matthew Leclercq, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Aug. 2025
Verb
But to have everyone there, rubbing elbows and being just as outlandish and quirky as ever, three decades ago just felt off.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Other signs that your cat is content and relaxed with you include kneading, and head rubbing and bunting.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rub
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rub
Noun
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Longer sales cycles and shrinking deal sizes are becoming big headaches for sales leaders.—
Sarah Goodall,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
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The world’s most valuable company may now be facing another China headache, just days after Beijing deemed the chipmaker to have violated the country’s antitrust legislation.—
Nicholas Gordon,
Fortune,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
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So…are the long-wearing claims actually true?—
Lily Wohlner,
Allure,
19 Sep. 2025
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The Body After detectives discovered Rivas’ body, a report from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner described her as a female with wavy black hair wearing a tube top and black leggings, size small, as well as yellow metal-stud earrings and a yellow metal-chain bracelet.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Some people take all the components off the frame, strip off all the decals, then get the whole thing sanded and powder-coated with a fresh coat of paint.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
9 Sep. 2025
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The companies that scale beyond pilots don’t try to sand away every rough edge.—
Jason Snyder,
Forbes.com,
26 Aug. 2025
Verb
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What color would the statue be if it were polished as envisioned?—
Theo Burman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
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Lopez stepped out looking both cozy and polished in an oversized tailored and tied cream jacket and a slinky matching floor-length skirt.—
Grace McCarty,
Glamour,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
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An assertive Iran has been especially a thorn in the side of Saudi Arabia, which strives to be the dominant Muslim majority power in the region.—
David Mednicoff,
The Conversation,
9 Sep. 2025
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For the second straight season, Geno Smith has proven to be a thorn in the Patriots’ side, even if the veteran quarterback doesn’t see it that way.—
Lance Reynolds,
Boston Herald,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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For capital-intensive industries, that volatility erodes the policy stability required for long-term investment, adding another layer of uncertainty to already fragile markets.—
Felicia Jackson,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
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But the brand’s relationship with Unilever eroded over the years.—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Use a sieve to sift out any large chunks, and continue to grind until fine.—
Abigail Wilt,
Southern Living,
18 Sep. 2025
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Vince has an estranged adult daughter; Jake is an absentee father to a young son; Jake is partnered in his restaurant with a big celebrity; both brothers used to be rock stars; a former restaurant employee has an axe to grind with Jake.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The very technology designed to smooth our experience is actually increasing our discomfort with the unavoidable misunderstandings and tensions of real relationships, driving us toward isolation.—
Curt Steinhorst,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
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Designed to last up to 12 hours, the formula is the first of its kind to combine the properties of a setting powder and blush to smooth, blur and set the face without leaving behind a separating residue.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
18 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rub.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rub. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
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