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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 rub
Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025
Students would also study flavor development, in which the Neales created a seasoning decoder that breaks down 400 different rubs into various flavor profiles.
—Anna Ortiz, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2025
James L. Edwards Iii, New York Times, 31 May 2025
It was also discovered that Lunch Box had been wearing a body harness that had irritated much of his fur and rubbed right down to the skin.
—Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for rub
Noun
Visitors can step into a foodie paradise featuring high-quality ingredients from honeys and oils to spice & sauce seasoning and BBQ rubs, delectable street food from Peru, Korea, India, Turkey, Scandinavia and more.
—Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025
Students would also study flavor development, in which the Neales created a seasoning decoder that breaks down 400 different rubs into various flavor profiles.
—Anna Ortiz, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2025
Verb
The comments rubbed the coaching staff the wrong way, sources said, and showed a disconnect.
—James L. Edwards Iii, New York Times, 31 May 2025
It was also discovered that Lunch Box had been wearing a body harness that had irritated much of his fur and rubbed right down to the skin.
—Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for rub
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rub
Noun
-
Its stern warnings are scary and uncomfortable--the headaches, indigestion, muscle spasms, body aches, clenched teeth or knots in your chest.—
Bryan Robinson,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2025
-
More severe cases of salmonellosis may include a high fever, aches, headaches, lethargy, a rash, blood in the urine or stool, and in some cases may become fatal.—
Jasmine Laws,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 June 2025
Verb
-
At prosecutors’ request, the judge also ordered Killian to wear an electric ankle monitor, surrender his passport and to obey a curfew of 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. if unemployed.—
JOE MARUSAK,
Charlotte Observer,
4 June 2025
-
In keeping with that environment, the canape dishes are served on rough-textured, sandstone-style dishware, and the patio staff wear unstructured, nubby wool jackets.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 June 2025
Verb
-
Guesses ranged from great whites to sand tigers to makos.—
Melissa Cristina Márquez,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2025
-
The hood's finish is created by layering a base coat of paint that is then sanded down with a Maybach pattern that is printed onto it, adding two coats of clear lacquer to complete the process.—
Eileen Falkenberg-Hull,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 May 2025
Verb
-
Elevated by fluted panels and a duo of discreet storage drawers, its look is polished enough to nimbly complement non-office settings.—
Erika Owen,
Architectural Digest,
3 June 2025
-
The formal coupes are polished using specialty techniques to reveal a reflective, opalescent finish.—
Maria Conti,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 June 2025
Noun
-
The early part of the season indicated Arizona would indeed be a thorn in the side of the Dodgers and one of the best teams in the NL.—
Andrew Wright,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 June 2025
-
The law has been a thorn in the side of the Trump administration’s campaign to ramp up deportations, which the president has cast as an effort to rid the country of criminals despite also targeting immigrants with no prior convictions.—
Taryn Luna,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2025
Verb
-
The persistent issue of greenwashing, where investments are promoted as sustainable without verifiable environmental benefits, has eroded trust and slowed market development.—
Edoardo Francesco Sabatino,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2025
-
Maryland’s coastlines are eroding at an alarming rate.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
5 June 2025
Verb
-
Meanwhile, families across America are grinding five, six, even seven days a week just to stay afloat.—
Tom Rogers,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 June 2025
-
The nation’s court system has been ground zero for pushback to President Donald Trump’s sweeping conservative agenda, with about 200 lawsuits filed challenging policies on everything from immigration to education to mass layoffs of federal workers.—
Lindsay Whitehurst,
Chicago Tribune,
6 June 2025
Verb
-
The researchers of the 2022 study also found that people on the receiving end of indirect attacks also end up responding with silence, politeness or attempts to smooth things over.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
15 June 2025
-
The star of the show is its capsule technology, which kicks in right away to smooth things out.—
Deanna Pai,
Glamour,
12 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rub.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rub. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share