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
Pruning saws are great for thinning Japanese maple or crepe myrtle branches that might be rubbing on each other, shooting in the wrong direction, or obstructing a walkway.
—
Campbell Vaughn, USA Today, 15 Mar. 2026
Start by cutting off any branches that are diseased, dead, or broken, as well as those that are crossing and rubbing against each other.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 12 Mar. 2026
Prune off stems that are crossing or rubbing against one another.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Mar. 2026
To help protect the strength of the tree, remove limbs that are crossing or rubbing against each other.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 8 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rubbing
Campbell Vaughn, USA Today, 15 Mar. 2026
Start by cutting off any branches that are diseased, dead, or broken, as well as those that are crossing and rubbing against each other.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 12 Mar. 2026
Prune off stems that are crossing or rubbing against one another.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Mar. 2026
To help protect the strength of the tree, remove limbs that are crossing or rubbing against each other.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 8 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rubbing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rubbing
Verb
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Other tips include riding defensively around cars, using front and rear lights, wearing reflective vests in the dark, and avoiding biking under the influence of drugs or alcohol.—
Sarah Raza,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
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Not if the other team comes out wearing Dallas sweaters.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Molino Los Hermanos hopes to start grinding in Uptown this summer.—
Louisa Kung Liu Chu,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Mar. 2026
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In recent years, several demonstrations have expanded onto adjacent freeways, grinding traffic to a halt.—
Cierra Morgan,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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After 10 to 20 passes, repeat the same process on the ceramic polishing rods, if the sharpener has them.—
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
Verb
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Equal citizenship is the foundation of democracy, and the framers sought to prevent politicans from eroding that foundation.—
David Cole,
The New York Review of Books,
4 Apr. 2026
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And even those who do own their own home aren’t immune—taxes, energy bills, and grocery prices have all surged, quietly eroding the financial cushion many assumed would last decades.—
Orianna Rosa Royle,
Fortune,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The first track boomed, a Bad Bunny number remixed with a salsa beat, and people started filing in.—
Natalia Favre,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Apr. 2026
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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,
4 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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Even better, many leave-in conditioners and hair milks not only boast hair-smoothing benefits, but also heat protection.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But gaps the size of ours are breeding frustration and distrust, fraying the social fabric and creating the conditions for instability and upheaval.—
Russell Hancock,
Mercury News,
4 Apr. 2026
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These sateen sheets only get softer after each wash, according to shopping director Rachel Fletcher, who has had the high-quality bedding for years and has never spotted fraying or pilling.—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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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
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After drying and sanding, the pieces are sealed and painted with complex patterns, geometric designs, and Zapotec symbols.—
Patricia Doherty,
Travel + Leisure,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rubbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rubbing. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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