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
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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 polishes
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 rubs
Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 26 Dec. 2025
In the footage, the performance character for the baseball team gives the pup head rubs, pets, and lots of extra comfort after his hard day.
—Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 16 Dec. 2025
Grating anything is usually a knuckle-threatening chore—but this stippled ceramic dish from Japan makes it into its own soothing ritual, turning a brown stem into liquidish gold with a few easy rubs.
—The Atlantic, 19 Nov. 2025
Maple salt adds a sweet-savory punch to rubs and stews, and maple sugar is used to give cocktails a smooth and tantalizing finish.
—Pamela MacNaughtan, Bon Appetit Magazine, 18 Nov. 2025
The chicken restaurant’s third mascot, Raising Cane III, loves visiting Raising Cane’s restaurants and getting belly rubs from crew members, the company said online.
—Saleen Martin, USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025
It’s filled with global flavors and spice mixes for a variety of different meals, including barbecue rubs, Mediterranean blends, Italian blends, steak rubs, and more.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 26 Oct. 2025
So rubs offer both visual and scent clues for deer.
—Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 16 Oct. 2025
These include wanting to be near you, keeping eye contact, following you everywhere, and showing affection through cuddles or face rubs.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Oct. 2025
Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 25 Dec. 2025
Finally, with the boom of a cannon and the roar of the crowd, each team member and coach rubs Howard’s Rock for luck before hurtling down the hill toward the home sideline.
—Elizabeth Hutchison Hicklin, Southern Living, 8 Nov. 2025
Here, modernity rubs lightly up against traditional Japanese ryokans (or guesthouses) and an abundance of natural beauty.
—Jonnie Bayfield, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Oct. 2025
The video shows the pup lounging around in various positions in a home setting, from asleep on the floor and over a blanket to playing with a dog toy and lying on the floor with her legs in the air as a hand rubs her belly.
—Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
For a deeper dive into DeRose-Broeckert’s findings about how deer perceive scrapes and rubs, head over to NDA.
—Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 16 Oct. 2025
Specifically, Byron’s enthusiasm for Guinness — the beer and the family — rubs him the wrong way.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2025
Ray, grateful for the distraction, rubs my Lab behind his ears and tells me how much Michelle loved dogs.
—Ted Katauskas, Outside, 23 Sep. 2025
As the moon clashes with Mars, a partner’s behavior rubs you the wrong way.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
The fieldwork covered 146 signposts in all, providing a broad look at 109 rubs and 37 scrapes across the forest.
—Verb
Dramatic silence after someone makes a comment that rubs them the wrong way.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for rubs
Noun
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From plane seatback organizers to carry-on cup holders, these accessories can save you from boarding delays and other headaches—starting at $9.—
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The decades-old technology struggles to account for last-minute payroll changes and that can create all sorts of headaches for employees and departments alike.—
Verb
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Cyclops dons a more comic-accurate blue-and-yellow uniform, while Xavier wears a black-and-red X symbol on his gray jacket.—
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Plus, its crew neckline is the ideal base for statement necklaces, just like the chunky string of pearls that Seyfried wears throughout the movie.—
Verb
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But Kingstown grinds him up through the prison riots, through being fired from his job to accidentally being responsible for the death of his mother.—
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But Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby mustered just two shot attempts apiece, spending their time watching idly as the Knicks offense incessantly grinds into a standstill.—
Verb
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The vacuum has a fluffy optic cleaner head that not only cleans but also polishes hard floors.—
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The Pillbox The most elegant of the bunch, the pillbox hat instantly polishes any look.—
Noun
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Use clean pruners to trim away shoots, thorns, or roots along the soil and to help maintain the tree’s size.—
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Even delicate feline nostrils and curved claws that could scratch like thorns won her undying admiration.—
Verb
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An analysis published by CX Today found that when AI use is hidden, trust erodes quickly, even when outcomes are accurate.—
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Understanding that difference can prevent endless money conflicts because frugality builds a meaningful life, while cheapness slowly erodes joy.—
Verb
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Chapman sands his board occasionally to remove this top layer of funk.—
Verb
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The light fabric smooths bumps and moves with you through workouts while still being comfortable for lounging.—
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This hybrid balm-powder formula delivers rich pigment with a soft-matte payoff that blurs the look of pores and smooths uneven skin.—
Cite this Entry
“Rubs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rubs. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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