as in headaches
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 wears
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 grinds
to make smooth by friction
the furniture restorer rubbed the board perfectly smooth with sandpaper
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in smoothes
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 rubs
Jen Reeder, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
There are also four new dry rubs designed to broaden flavor choices for consumers for football season.
—Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
As Elordi rests his head on Isaac’s shoulder to re-create their complicated on-screen bond, Layla receives belly rubs from members of our crew.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 20 Aug. 2025
The fresh dry rubs join Popeyes’ returning sauce flavors — Signature Hot, Sweet ‘N Spicy and Honey BBQ — giving wing lovers seven bold wing flavor options to choose from.
—Moná Thomas, People.com, 18 Aug. 2025
Usa Today, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
Lenker, in plaid, rubs her eyes; James Krivchenia leans forward, sparky and alert; Meek, outdoors in the Topanga sunshine, wears cycling glasses and a frowzy hat.
—Emma Madden, Pitchfork, 4 Sep. 2025
And because fall is all about staying cozy-slash-comfy while being on your feet all day, the Bae delivers support via its ultra-contoured outsole, accommodating toe box, and collar that, though made of the rubber-adjacent Croslite proprietary material, never rubs at your feet or causes blisters.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2025
These lumps typically develop in areas of the body where the skin rubs together, and can be recurrent.
—Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 28 Aug. 2025
These blisters form a rash that often appears on the chest, shoulders, neck, thighs, along skin folds, and anywhere else your skin rubs against clothing.
—Rachael Zimlich, Verywell Health, 4 Aug. 2025
Noun
Leader delights in offering up her belly for rubs or kissing the faces of new friends.
—Jen Reeder, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
There are also four new dry rubs designed to broaden flavor choices for consumers for football season.
—Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
As Elordi rests his head on Isaac’s shoulder to re-create their complicated on-screen bond, Layla receives belly rubs from members of our crew.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 20 Aug. 2025
The fresh dry rubs join Popeyes’ returning sauce flavors — Signature Hot, Sweet ‘N Spicy and Honey BBQ — giving wing lovers seven bold wing flavor options to choose from.
—Moná Thomas, People.com, 18 Aug. 2025
Verb
As the moon clashes with Mars, a partner’s behavior rubs you the wrong way.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
Lenker, in plaid, rubs her eyes; James Krivchenia leans forward, sparky and alert; Meek, outdoors in the Topanga sunshine, wears cycling glasses and a frowzy hat.
—Emma Madden, Pitchfork, 4 Sep. 2025
And because fall is all about staying cozy-slash-comfy while being on your feet all day, the Bae delivers support via its ultra-contoured outsole, accommodating toe box, and collar that, though made of the rubber-adjacent Croslite proprietary material, never rubs at your feet or causes blisters.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2025
These lumps typically develop in areas of the body where the skin rubs together, and can be recurrent.
—Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 28 Aug. 2025
These blisters form a rash that often appears on the chest, shoulders, neck, thighs, along skin folds, and anywhere else your skin rubs against clothing.
—Rachael Zimlich, Verywell Health, 4 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rubs
Noun
-
The blooms may produce toxic substances that could result in headaches, weakness, shortness of breath, muscle spasms and gastrointestinal illnesses, officials said.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Reassessing your cash strategy now, before the rate cuts happen, can save you from headaches or worse later.—
Gregory Clifford,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
But sometimes her faith wears thin.—
ProPublica,
ProPublica,
13 Sep. 2025
-
This type of nonsense from [in-laws] is what wears on you over the years.—
Erin Clack,
PEOPLE,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
People die in this movie, and nobody seems to care, which could be a metaphor for the way the pro sports industry grinds up and disposes of its warriors.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
18 Sep. 2025
-
That fear grinds community life to a halt, resulting in less foot traffic, lower sales, and more empty storefronts.—
Javier Palomarez,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
One was treated for minor injuries, likely from rose-bush thorns, Christensen said.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
22 Aug. 2025
-
Both the northern and southern branches of the reef have been battered lately by tropical storms and the encroachment of invasive coral-eating crown-of-thorns starfish, but heat stress driven by warming oceans is the primary cause, scientists told the BBC.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
This phenomenon, masked by high output, stems from endless goal-setting that erodes intrinsic motivation.—
Benjamin Laker,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
-
The disinformation pushed by these types of influencers confuses audiences, leaves them less informed, and erodes trust in actual journalism.—
Taylor Lorenz,
HollywoodReporter,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Next, the gel polishes themselves had to work with the specific wavelengths of the Olive & June lamp.—
Megan McIntyre,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Plenty of brands already offer or are transitioning to TPO-free formulas that contain different photoinitiators (a chemical that makes gel polishes cure under a lamp instead of air-drying like regular polish) such as TPO-L, BAPO, or other resin initiators.—
Hannah Nwoko,
Parents,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Conjuring the troubled inner life of a young, beautiful and successful Buenos Aires fashion designer with an uncommon mix of stylistic rigor and feeling, the film frays your nerves.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Many gig workers also operate across multiple brands and industries, spurring a cross-pollination of ideas that sharpens their work, fuels continuous improvement, and creates a more empathetic, modern approach to customer experience.—
Gary Drenik,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
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Capital might fuel expansion, but the process also sharpens leadership skills, deepens industry relationships and often reveals operational blind spots.—
Jessica Billingsley,
Rolling Stone,
2 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rubs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rubs. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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