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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Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of rub
Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 18 Dec. 2024
Use your five-spice blend as a wing rub, as breading for pork cutlets, in a fragrant mix for cocktail peanuts, or any of the abovementioned recipes.
—Sarah Jampel, Bon Appétit, 13 Dec. 2024
Bestreviews, Sun Sentinel, 11 Feb. 2025
But also not, because soon her lower half is getting rubbed down with suntan oil by one of the cabana boys.
—Abby Aguirre, Vogue, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rub
Noun
These are seasoned with a rub of onion powder, paprika, garlic powder, and cayenne, then lightly breaded before frying.
—Verb
Dunk each brush in a mix of soap and water, then rub to work the soap through.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for rub
Noun
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The parasites' arrival in the central nervous system is often marked by a headache.—
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But the unusual dismissal order comes with strings attached that could cause continued legal headaches for Adams and put pressure on him to do more to help Trump’s administration with immigration enforcement, experts, including former federal prosecutors and judges, told the Daily News on Tuesday.—
Verb
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As the United States waged war in Vietnam in the 1960s, the Supreme Court said a Des Moines high school could not prevent students from wearing black armbands in support of a truce.—
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Most of the group had covered faces, some wore balaclavas.—
Verb
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But any subversive edges have been sanded off this script, which is credited to five people.—
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Remove all doors and shelves before sanding, priming, and painting the cabinet base for a DIY island paint job.—
Verb
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In one fell swoop, that verdict rejected decades of Madigan and his loyalists polishing the image of the once-mighty speaker as a politician above reproach, a statesman who never crossed the line, a lawyer with a personal code of conduct that kept him on the straight and narrow.—
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Jenner’s nails were styled in a minimalist almond shape and polished in a cloudy, pink-nude manicure.—
Noun
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Navalny was a thorn in Putin’s side, exposing corruption in high places and orchestrating some of the biggest anti-government protests seen in recent years.—
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The lesser prairie chicken, which was listed in 2023, is similarly a thorn in the side of many Republicans lawmakers.—
Verb
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Some industry leaders likewise wonder whether the Swiss Made label has begun to erode the very trust it was intended to secure, but few if any brands are actively clarifying their practices in marketing materials.—
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Those prints found in clay are known to erode away in a matter of days or weeks — just like fresh animal tracks, the company says.—
Verb
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During the depths of the pandemic, Las Vegas’ blindingly bustling main boulevard jerked to a grinding halt that highlighted the unconventional traits of the world’s biggest entertainment mecca — like how the grand doors to Sin City’s extravagant resorts are never closed nor unstaffed.—
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No Ukrainian officials were present at the meeting, which came as the beleaguered country is slowly but steadily losing ground against more numerous Russian troops in a grinding war that began nearly three years ago.—
Verb
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The formula is packed with keratins and proteins to fortify the nails, while key ingredients like cellulose, silica, celery seed extract, and camellia oil help smooth and strengthen.—
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The two that were closed – runways 4/22 and 15/33 – are shorter than the main runway and typically used during busier periods at the airport to alleviate congestion and smooth the flow of traffic into and out of DCA.—
Articles Related to rub
Cite this Entry
“Rub.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rub. Accessed 2 Mar. 2025.
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