as in polished
having a shiny surface or finish
the rubbed brass of the wall sconce showed my reflection
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in eroded
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 scraped
to make smooth by friction
the furniture restorer rubbed the board perfectly smooth with sandpaper
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in smoothed
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rubbed
Adjective
-
Nanette Nanette Lepore Freedom Stretch Pants These straight-leg pants are at once casual and polished, thanks to a tab fly, buttoned back welt pockets, and hems that hit right above the ankles on most people.—
Jamie Allison Sanders,
People.com,
18 Apr. 2025 -
Authentic and relatable videos often perform better than highly polished productions.—
Dr. Bin Tang,
Forbes.com,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
But yet over the course of the 20th century, that land base eroded and in some instances slowly, but then in other instances rapidly.—
Tax Notes Staff,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
-
Although economists continue to predict that growing numbers of jobs will require education beyond high school, public trust in the value of higher education has significantly eroded.—
Matt Gandal,
Forbes.com,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
However, Large Language Models have scraped most of the data that is easily available Expect 2025 to show increasing efforts to obtain data, whether these are business contracts to acquire data, labeling systems to curate yet-untapped data, deploying more sensors, and so on.—
Nisha Talagala,
Forbes,
30 Dec. 2024
-
These models are trained on vast, unlicensed datasets scraped from internet and music platforms.—
Virginie Berger,
Forbes,
30 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
The lightweight formula is spiked with Lamellar Lamination technology to hydrate, detangle and leave locks glossy.—
Celia Shatzman,
Forbes.com,
23 Apr. 2025
-
Indeed, you could be forgiven for growing slightly cynical of the big pledges, glossy roadmaps, endless subsidy schemes, and constant climate conferences.—
Antoine Rostand,
Time,
21 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The mac and cheese is coated with buttery bubbly cheese and is just as comforting for these colder months.—
Kaitlyn Rosati,
New York Daily News,
25 Dec. 2024
-
The outer surfaces were then sanded, covered with rice paper, coated, painted, and polished to a smooth hydrodynamic finish.—
David Szondy,
New Atlas,
25 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Today’s modern Colonial is likely influenced by the current swing from sleek interior designs towards more traditional styles, but streamlined for contemporary lifestyles.—
Kristina McGuirk,
Better Homes & Gardens,
27 Apr. 2025
-
Snapped up by the singer from the fall 2025 collection, the hefty piece had a puffer-like construction to it—but it was finished with sleek details typical of the house, with gold hardware at the neckline.—
Christian Allaire,
Vogue,
27 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
So, what keeps this young group grounded as the pressure mounts?—
Sindiswa Mabunda,
Forbes.com,
19 Apr. 2025
-
This highly professional and grounded attitude is hardly surprising given Williams' extensive experience in the U.S. military and many, many hours logged in space.—
Sean Mowbray,
Discover Magazine,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Pop a satin version on top of your usual night-out curls to make the 'do feel glamorous.—
Jasmine Washington,
Seventeen,
18 Jan. 2023
-
From satin pillowcases to a hydrating moisturizer, all of these products are on sale for less than $25.—
Isabel Garcia,
Peoplemag,
13 Jan. 2023
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.
Cite this Entry
“Rubbed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rubbed. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share