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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of rub
Andrea Wurzburger, People.com, 27 June 2025
Belly rubs, treats, water and taking long sprints outside.
—Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 June 2025
Barry Williams, New York Daily News, 2 July 2025
Romeo, the smaller of the two, playfully lay on his back with his paws in the air, much like a domestic dog looking for a belly rub, while Juliet licked him on the face.
—David Lei, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for rub
Noun
Now just napping all day long on the couch with mama and getting free head rubs.
—Andrea Wurzburger, People.com, 27 June 2025
Belly rubs, treats, water and taking long sprints outside.
—Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 June 2025
Verb
People ran in all directions from the crowded park, with many appearing to have difficulty breathing, gagging, and rubbing their eyes.
—Barry Williams, New York Daily News, 2 July 2025
Romeo, the smaller of the two, playfully lay on his back with his paws in the air, much like a domestic dog looking for a belly rub, while Juliet licked him on the face.
—David Lei, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for rub
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rub
Noun
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Some headaches are related to muscle tension and can be triggered by stress.9 Hot showers or baths promote relaxation.—
Mark Gurarie,
Verywell Health,
9 July 2025
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These can seem like a real headache for a sole trader who does not have an HR department to take care of all this for them.—
Peter Boolkah,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
Verb
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The deceased woman was also wearing a black necklace with a cross that family said belonged to DiNapoli, according to court documents.—
Caelyn Pender,
Mercury News,
11 July 2025
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More specifically, Middleton often wears two silhouettes: Superga 2750 Cotu Classics (usually $75, now as little as $35) and Veja Esplars (usually $150, now $128).—
Jake Henry Smith,
Glamour,
10 July 2025
Verb
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Before cars are painted, workers still run gloved hands over them and sand smooth any tiny imperfections.—
Keith Bradsher,
New York Times,
23 Apr. 2025
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Its secure seal acts like a vault around your phone to keep water and sand out and scratches off your screen.—
Laura Lu,
Parents,
19 May 2025
Verb
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Define swim lanes for each spokesperson, and then polish the narrative for each.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
10 July 2025
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Most high school seniors applying to selective colleges this fall don’t need a lot of advice on how to polish their personal essay or list extracurriculars.—
Gerald Bradshaw,
Chicago Tribune,
20 June 2025
Noun
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James Tolkan plays Gerald Strickland, who worked at Hill Valley High School and, in both 1955 and 1985, was a thorn in the side of the McFlys.—
Jonathon Dornbush,
EW.com,
3 July 2025
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Many people had thoughts about what was said, especially the constant thorn in Puff’s side, 50 Cent.—
Armon Sadler,
VIBE.com,
30 June 2025
Verb
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Now, this fundamental principle is at risk of being eroded.—
Philippa Pham Hughes,
Time,
11 July 2025
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Deals like these, which require OpenAI to sell stakes in the company, erode the nonprofit’s control of the business.—
Orson Aguilar,
Mercury News,
10 July 2025
Verb
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This precise semiautomatic machine can grind your beans, push out balanced shots, and froth your milk.—
Scott Gilbertson,
Wired News,
11 July 2025
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The fact that everybody was there and everyone was grinding, there was that little extra motivation to really get this thing going.—
Vic Tafur,
New York Times,
11 July 2025
Verb
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These pre-soaked exfoliating pads use gentle lactic acid and the brand’s Tri-Enzyme technology to smooth rough patches, fade dark spots, and give your skin that post-facial glow.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
8 July 2025
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The lion's mane mushroom extract helps smooth any sharp edges from the THC for a mellow Friday night buzz that's perfect for zoning out with a movie.—
Mackensy Lunsford,
The Tennessean,
2 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rub.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rub. Accessed 23 Jul. 2025.
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