1
as in wearing
to damage or diminish by continued friction
the brake pads were rubbed away as a result of years of use
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in grinding
to make smooth by friction
the furniture restorer rubbed the board perfectly smooth with sandpaper
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in polishing
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
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Recent Examples of rubbing
Other times, viburnums may require a modest amount of shaping, such as removing branches that are rubbing against each other or the surroundings, or becoming a nuisance or safety hazard.
—
Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Feb. 2026
The noise could be a dust shield behind one of the brake rotors that is rubbing.
—John Paul Senior Manager Public Affairs and Traffic Safety Aaa Northeast, Hartford Courant, 5 Feb. 2026
Thus, American ski racing fans—and more than a few orthopedic surgeons—will be watching Vonn’s run while crossing their fingers, knocking on wood, and rubbing lucky rabbits’ feet during the descent.
—Outside, 4 Feb. 2026
However, there is a risk of the shinbone rubbing against the femur with this type of injury, which can injure the cartilage (which is designed to reduce friction between the bones).
—Korin Miller, SELF, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rubbing
Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Feb. 2026
The noise could be a dust shield behind one of the brake rotors that is rubbing.
—John Paul Senior Manager Public Affairs and Traffic Safety Aaa Northeast, Hartford Courant, 5 Feb. 2026
Thus, American ski racing fans—and more than a few orthopedic surgeons—will be watching Vonn’s run while crossing their fingers, knocking on wood, and rubbing lucky rabbits’ feet during the descent.
—Outside, 4 Feb. 2026
However, there is a risk of the shinbone rubbing against the femur with this type of injury, which can injure the cartilage (which is designed to reduce friction between the bones).
—Korin Miller, SELF, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rubbing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rubbing
Verb
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Moments later, Carthen struts into the frame wearing a Patriot's jersey corset, an enormous fur stole, and knee-high Timberland stilettos.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Glamour,
9 Feb. 2026
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For part of his sentence, he was allowed out to work with the Norwegian Football Federation coaching young players, while wearing an ankle tag.—
Greg O'Keeffe,
New York Times,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Many came from grinding poverty and squalor.—
Alexandra Schwartz,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
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For Jones, doing his part meant observing, which led to at least four officers jumping on his back, handcuffing him, crushing his legs, and grinding his forehead into the frozen concrete.—
Evan Minsker,
Rolling Stone,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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After polishing the piece, rinse it well and wash it with dish soap and water again to ensure all the cream is removed.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
9 Feb. 2026
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This gentle, sensitive-skin-friendly exfoliating sugar scrub helps to melt away makeup, excess oil, and buildup, all while buffing and polishing without stripping the skin.—
Melony Forcier,
InStyle,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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This chronic underfunding is eroding the dignity of aging and straining the health care system.—
Andrew Hevesi,
New York Daily News,
6 Feb. 2026
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Protections for workers are eroding Nepal and Bangladesh are among several countries in Asia that rely heavily on remittances from migrant workers who are vulnerable to abuses despite decades of work aimed at protecting them.—
Elaine Kurtenbach,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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For example, individual filers can receive up to $994, couples filing jointly can receive $1,491, and those providing essential care to SSI recipients can receive up to $498.—
Asher Notheis,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Feb. 2026
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Not long afterward, attorneys from the San Diego County Public Defender’s Office reached out to him about filing a petition.—
Kelly Davis,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The Age Perfect Eye Cream by L’Oréal Paris has shoppers raving about its hydrating, brightening, and smoothing ingredients that target multiple signs of aging all in one formula.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
5 Feb. 2026
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The initial collection will consist of a seamless or smoothing nylon bra, a seamless or shaping nylon brief, and a seamless or shaping nylon short.—
Jean E. Palmieri,
Footwear News,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Advertisement None of this will work, however, without civic courage inside countries where democracy is fraying.—
Philippe Bolopion,
Time,
1 Feb. 2026
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Yet, how could a film that takes such an intimate look at the fraying healthcare net through the story of a woman with a cognitive disability and her declining parents be otherwise?—
Lisa Kennedy,
Variety,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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City of Dallas has only eight snow plows The city of Dallas has only eight snow plows and about 100 sanding trucks for 11,700 lane miles of roads, forcing it to prioritize.—
Julia James,
Dallas Morning News,
6 Feb. 2026
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Before those efforts, crews will continue sanding operations around the city to treat roads this week.—
Brayden Garcia,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rubbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rubbing. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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