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
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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
Julian McKenzie,
New York Times,
30 June 2026
For instance, there are glazed pork belly chunks served on crispy tostones, tuna tataki with a jerk-spice rub, and a bright, citrusy conch salad.
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Chadner Navarro,
Travel + Leisure,
29 June 2026
Rachel Dolfi,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
3 July 2026
Continue rubbing until the friction lifts the residue from the fabric.
—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
2 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for rub
Noun
Some are smothered in that nuclear rub, the equivalent of a stag-do dare.
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Julian McKenzie,
New York Times,
30 June 2026
For instance, there are glazed pork belly chunks served on crispy tostones, tuna tataki with a jerk-spice rub, and a bright, citrusy conch salad.
—
Chadner Navarro,
Travel + Leisure,
29 June 2026
Verb
Morton kosher salt in a small bowl and rub zest into sugar and salt with your fingers until mixture looks like wet sand.
—
Rachel Dolfi,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
3 July 2026
Continue rubbing until the friction lifts the residue from the fabric.
—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
2 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for rub
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rub
Noun
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Intense exercise on a sizzling day can lead to extreme fatigue, impaired performance, headache, irritability, nausea, dizziness, cramping and dehydration, all symptoms of exertional heat illness.
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Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome causes fatigue, fever, muscle aches, abdominal problems, headaches, chills and dizziness in the early stages, and late symptoms include chest tightness, coughing, shortness of breath and lungs filling with fluid.
Verb
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But on Wednesday, the day after Mexico beat Ecuador 2-0 to secure its fourth consecutive World Cup victory, the fan and his wife, Angélica Arias, walked to the plaza wearing two identical caps.
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And even though Georgia law does not require this, all cyclists and scooterists should wear helmets.
Verb
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Their work included sanding the benches along the Naperville Riverwalk.
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The dredge is conducted by crane and excavator barges that dig sand up and deposit it in another barge.
Verb
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Parker Kitternan was busy at the console of the church's pipe organ, polishing his musical tribute for the weekend.
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Wear it with flat sandals for a beachfront dinner or add wedges and simple jewelry for an outfit that feels polished enough for a special occasion.
Noun
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Yamal was a thorn in Saudi Arabia’s side, drifting infield to unleash shots from distance but also peppering the penalty area with wicked deliveries from the right flank.
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An individual bush can grow up to 15 feet high and 40 feet long, with thick stems, also known as canes, marked by sharp, hooked thorns.
Verb
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But Koppl traced a distinctly American lineage through a chain of precedents dating back more than 50 years, each one further eroding the market discipline that profit-and-loss accountability is supposed to provide.
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Moscow says the strike was retaliation for Ukraine’s 40-day campaign on Russian oil refineries and supply lines, which has fueled shortages, hit Crimea and eroded battlefield momentum.
Verb
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These matchups are intense and, usually, grind-it-out battles of attrition between two proud soccer nations.
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Then, Djokovic had the skills to blow his opponents away, but could also grind them down if needed, knowing that his superior fitness and durability would more than likely win out.
Verb
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The hair at the crown is smoothed back but not slick—in fact, there’s a decent amount of volume up top—with virtually no visible part.
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Dual suspension helps smooth rough trails, hydraulic disc brakes provide dependable stopping power in changing conditions, and four-inch fat tires improve traction across gravel, dirt, sand, and pavement.
Cite this Entry
“Rub.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rub. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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