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.
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Recent Examples of rub
Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 11 Mar. 2026
Both come with a light breading and a dry-rub seasoning packet for cooking.
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Mar. 2026
Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Mar. 2026
So, the timing for Mortensen to be making his second show debut right as his ex’s is being pulled off the air is rubbing fans the wrong way.
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rub
Noun
It can also be used for rubs, vinaigrettes, meats, and vegetables.
—Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 11 Mar. 2026
Both come with a light breading and a dry-rub seasoning packet for cooking.
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Mar. 2026
Verb
Where there hadn't been any beef between the singers before recording the song, a chasm formed between them as industry politics rubbed them the wrong way.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Mar. 2026
So, the timing for Mortensen to be making his second show debut right as his ex’s is being pulled off the air is rubbing fans the wrong way.
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rub
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rub
Noun
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However, the ink was barely dry when new revelations emerged last week that pose a fresh headache for Cannon.—
Jasmine Laws,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
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Authorities said Koc and Alshmari attacked the victim, causing a split lip and headaches.—
Madeline Bartos,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Cops are searching for multiple suspects wearing ski masks last seen fleeing the scene on foot.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
31 Mar. 2026
-
He was last seen wearing a denim shirt and jeans.—
Jeff Nguyen,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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So, Navon and her husband undertook a full restoration, sanding and staining them a honey-oak hue that warms up the home from the ground up.—
Shagun Khare,
The Spruce,
31 Mar. 2026
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This could be older lead from repairs and repainting involving sanding down old lead paint, usually not from a fire.—
Steve Scauzillo,
Daily News,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Swap to the higher grit stone and repeat the whole process to polish and set the edge.—
Jesse Raub,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
30 Mar. 2026
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The program acts almost like a navigation map for individuals intent on entering the sector, from polishing resumes to grasping industry dynamics.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Odor is a botanical defense mechanism as much as thistles and thorns.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
21 Mar. 2026
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The spirit of the endeavor can forgive a lot, with some clumsy filmmaking that doesn’t seem to be an intentional homage, such as a slapdash set-up to Helen’s murderous ways and a slightly tacked-on feeling opening involving a film critic who has been a thorn in Jack’s side.—
Stephen Saito,
Variety,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
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That vision of worldwide economic and cultural interdependence that enabled the proliferation of biennials in the ’90s has been steadily eroding amid the recent rise in nativism and far-right movements in the United States and Europe.—
Smooth Nzewi,
Artforum,
2 Apr. 2026
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Over time, this can concentrate gains and strain the labor tax base, eroding the revenue streams that underpin the broader economy—funding health care, retirement benefits and basic economic security.—
Ravi Kumar S,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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With activity in the Strait of Hormuz grinding to a near halt, United Nations Trade and Development (UNCTAD) is predicting a sharp slowdown in global trade.—
Glenn Taylor,
Footwear News,
1 Apr. 2026
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What remains is a grinding war with no clear endpoint and no coherent strategy.—
Kazem Kazerounian,
Hartford Courant,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Scrape batter into prepared baking sheet and, using a medium offset spatula, gently spread to edges, smoothing surface.—
Shilpa Uskokovic,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
1 Apr. 2026
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This collagen cream can help even out dark spots and smooth your skin for a healthy, luminous complexion.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
29 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rub.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rub. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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