rubbing

verb

Definition of rubbingnext
present participle of rub
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

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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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of rubbing The bumper was rubbing the tire and a headlight looked to be dragging. — Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 28 June 2026 Plus, extra padding around the heel helps prevent rubbing during long days on your feet. — Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 4 July 2026 Continue rubbing until the friction lifts the residue from the fabric. — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 2 July 2026 At the time, Curtis was spotted rubbing the actress' shoulders, and Aniston was later seen with her hand in his hand. — Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 2 July 2026 For the best results, the brand recommends leaving the mask on for at least three hours or even overnight before removing it and rubbing the remaining serum into your skin. — People Deals Team, PEOPLE, 25 June 2026 Clear sunscreen sticks glide across the skin without leaving the chalky white cast that mineral formulas can create, and their solid texture means less dripping or rubbing than a lotion. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson july 2, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026 Working with the fingertip has a sensuosity which is erotic and raw; there is something very direct about this process of drawing, rubbing, scratching and erasing. — Zehra Jumabhoy, Artforum, 25 June 2026 Gently towel-dry your hair when wet first to remove excess water, blotting it with a soft microfiber towel to reduce breakage rather than rubbing against strands aggressively. — Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 24 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rubbing
  1. wearing
  2. grinding
  3. polishing
  4. eroding
  5. filing
  6. smoothing
  7. fraying
  8. sanding
Verb
  • Doctors Without Borders health workers wearing personal protective equipment move through the isolated red zone to monitor patients, provide medical care and ensure sanitation at the Ebola Treatment Center in Munigi in Congo on June 2, 2026.
    — Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 6 July 2026
  • Rodríguez Castro can be seen wearing a New York Yankees shirt, moving suggestively to driving percussive beats, punctuated by catchy, syncopated vocals.
    — Romina Ruiz-Goiriena, USA Today, 6 July 2026
Definition of wearing
Verb
  • The hike includes the park’s east side on the Grasslands Trail, which leads to a Kumeyaay grinding rocks site and the scenic Old Mission Dam overlook.
    — Linda Mcintosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 July 2026
  • Those particles may have been grinding in the joint, causing mechanical wear on the cobalt-chromium femoral head that released cobalt into the surrounding tissue and bloodstream.
    — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 2 July 2026
Definition of grinding
Verb
  • Parker Kitternan was busy at the console of the church's pipe organ, polishing his musical tribute for the weekend.
    — Joe Holden, CBS News, 29 June 2026
  • The deceptively roomy, buttery-smooth leather style features a convertible crossbody strap, metal feet, interior pockets, and an outfit-polishing silhouette.
    — Olivia Cigliano, InStyle, 13 June 2026
Definition of polishing
Verb
  • 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.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 3 July 2026
  • McGraw Hill Higher Education cites a study by Gerlich (2025) at SBS Swiss Business School that reveals an over-reliance on AI tools is eroding critical thinking abilities.
    — Michael Ashley, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of eroding
Verb
  • Those filing the lawsuit alleged that the agreements gave Disney significant leverage over streaming bundle prices, limited competitors' ability to offer lower-cost alternatives and contributed to higher prices for consumers.
    — James Powel, USA Today, 6 July 2026
  • 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.
    — Sydney Topf, The Washington Examiner, 4 July 2026
Definition of filing
Verb
  • Spanx’s Shape Authentic 360 jeans are designed with all-over compression and a smoothing panel at the stomach that makes wearers feel snatched.
    — Kaelin Dodge, InStyle, 3 July 2026
  • Thanks to this fit of irrational exuberance, the NBA realized the benefits of cap smoothing and more-friendly contract-extension language in the collective bargaining agreement.
    — John Hollinger, New York Times, 1 July 2026
Definition of smoothing
Verb
  • The same fear of a fraying dollar system is driving Russia and others toward bitcoin and pushing Wall Street to treat which reserve asset wins as a live question.
    — Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026
  • And that net of community health workers who serve as links between families and this lifesaving treatment is fraying.
    — Jonathan Lambert, NPR, 13 June 2026
Definition of fraying
Verb
  • Their work included sanding the benches along the Naperville Riverwalk.
    — Evgenia Anastasakos, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2026
  • During a walk-through for reporters on Thursday, construction noises — particularly sanding and hammering — could be heard.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 June 2026
Definition of sanding

Browse Nearby Words

rubbery
rubbing
rubbing elbows
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Cite this Entry

“Rubbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rubbing. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on rubbing

Nglish: Translation of rubbing for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about rubbing

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