How to Use rubbing in a Sentence

rubbing

noun
  • He made a rubbing of the old tombstone.
  • Have kids cut out the rubbings and string them up with your help.
    — Jamie Kiffel-Alcheh, National Geographic, 26 Feb. 2020
  • Wash the area to clean off all the rubbing compound, rinse and dry.
    — Paul Wright, Popular Mechanics, 13 Nov. 2020
  • Smooth edges will heal better than the ragged edges left from the deer rubbing.
    — Tim Johnson, chicagotribune.com, 11 Oct. 2020
  • Dab on and blot off, because rubbing might stretch the fabric or cause it to pill.
    — Washington Post, 1 Mar. 2021
  • This constant low-key rubbing can cause the glands to get inflamed and lead to dry eyes.
    — Amy Marturana Winderl, Health.com, 8 Dec. 2021
  • Avoid any shoes that cause painful rubbing or make your toes feel cramped as this will only get worse with use.
    — Good Housekeeping, 25 July 2023
  • The sutures split open because of all the rubbing and the pressure from the swelling.
    — Meirav Devash, Allure, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Not only does this limit thigh rubbing, but a loose fit also keeps things breezy.
    — Gabrielle Porcaro, Travel + Leisure, 11 July 2023
  • The heel cup hugs the foot to prevent rubbing, and the toe box has plenty of room for toes to spread out.
    — Mandy Ferreira, Sunset, 22 Jan. 2018
  • Tight clothing can cause the friction and rubbing that caused the chafing in the first place.
    — Washington Post, 13 Aug. 2021
  • Then go pluck another male, repeat the rubbing, and so forth.
    — The Editors Of Organic Life, Good Housekeeping, 6 Feb. 2018
  • They’re also designed to guard against rubbing that could cause blisters.
    — Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2021
  • There is much rubbing of ash between fingers and squinting to gauge the color.
    — David Wharton, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2025
  • The boot offers optimal room in the toe box for wide feet, which prevents any rubbing or pain.
    — Danielle Zoellner, Health, 17 Feb. 2023
  • While some fibers did come loose, there was no visible thinning or holes as a result of the rubbing.
    — Sharon Brandwein, Southern Living, 7 Jan. 2024
  • Might the rubbing of one’s face with germy digits come from primal urges that blossomed on our branch of the tree of life?
    — Roxanne Khamsi, Wired, 10 Mar. 2020
  • However, the width is slightly snug and some heel rubbing may occur.
    — Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 26 Dec. 2025
  • The arch support is superb and the fit is just right, with no rubbing, blistering or hot-spots.
    — Samson McDougall, Health, 4 Aug. 2023
  • However, the words, the accent, the rubbing of neck and back of head while talking — all on point.
    — Dalton Ross, EW.com, 5 Dec. 2024
  • Excessive rubbing can spread the stain and damage the fabric.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 24 Nov. 2025
  • The sandals even offer a soft foam strap between your toes to prevent painful rubbing and blisters.
    — Jessica Leigh Mattern, PEOPLE.com, 7 Apr. 2022
  • Lay newspaper or scrap paper over the top, then make crayon rubbings in bright colors.
    — Jamie Kiffel-Alcheh, National Geographic, 26 Feb. 2020
  • Becker stayed behind to make a rubbing of Vaught's name as a keepsake for her father.
    — Meg Jones, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 16 Sep. 2017
  • This means no rubbing, tugging at the skin, or worrying about emerging with raccoon eyes.
    — Iman Balagam, Vogue, 6 July 2024
  • Avoid vigorous rubbing when treating stains unless the fabric is tough and durable.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 24 Nov. 2025
  • While eye rubbing may seem harmless, people who rub their eyes are at risk of infections or damage to their cornea.
    — Neelam Patadia, The Conversation, 27 May 2026
  • Eighteen questions, spaces to make rubbings, and a word jumble to figure out.
    — Denise Coffey, courant.com, 9 Sep. 2019
  • The floor piece is almost like making a rubbing or an etching of that part of the footprint of the museum.
    — Caitlin Woolsey, Artforum, 1 June 2025
  • There was lots of coughing and wincing and rubbing of potions into arthritic backs before the show.
    — Dave Itzkoff, New York Times, 28 June 2017

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rubbing.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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