rub
verb
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Definition of rub
(Entry 1 of 2)
rub
nounDefinition of rub (Entry 2 of 2)
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Synonyms for rub
Synonyms: Verb
abrade, chafe, corrade, erode, fray, frazzle, fret, gall, rasp, wear
Synonyms: Noun
aggravation, aggro [British], annoyance, bother, botheration, bugbear, exasperation, frustration, hair shirt, hassle, headache, inconvenience, irk, irritant, nuisance, peeve, pest, ruffle, thorn, trial, vexation
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Examples of rub in a Sentence
Verb
Could you rub my shoulders? He blinked and rubbed his eyes. The cat rubbed itself against my leg. The cat rubbed against my leg. Don't rub too hard or you'll tear the paper. He rubbed his hands with glee. There was a squeak when the boards rubbed together. The back of my shoe is rubbing against my heel and giving me a blister. There are marks where the chair has rubbed against the wall. There are marks where the chair has been rubbing the wall.Noun
She's an amazing cook, but she rarely has time to make meals. There's the rub. He used his favorite rub on the steaks. a dry rub for chicken
Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
While the chickens roast, rub the potatoes with a thin coat of olive oil and place them on a baking sheet. — ExpressNews.com, "Sunday Recipe: Roast Chicken Supper," 28 Aug. 2019 Suárez rubbed the top of Iglesias' helmet on their walk toward the dugout. — Bobby Nightengale, Cincinnati.com, "With 10-run second inning, Cincinnati Reds pummel Pittsburgh Pirates in series opener," 30 July 2019 In a new video posted to her IGTV page, Good announces her new 30-day fitness challenge while her husband playfully rubs her belly. — Jasmine Grant, Essence, "Meagan Good and DeVon Franklin Are Making Plans To Grow Their Family," 22 July 2019 Two hours into a Fort Bend County Commissioner’s Court Facilities Bond workshop, Precinct 2 Commissioner Grady Prestage was rubbing his temples in apparent frustration. — Michelle Iracheta, Houston Chronicle, "Fort Bend County Commissioners review revised facilities bond proposal, clash," 19 July 2019 Justin Thomas rubs Phil Mickelson’s belly during the afternoon foursome matches of the 2018 Ryder Cup. — Brian Costa, WSJ, "Dominant Europe Takes Control of the Ryder Cup," 29 Sep. 2018 Slick Woods hit the Savage runway wearing pasties and a cut-out bodysuit, rubbing her pregnant belly, reveling in her womanhood. — Jessica Andrews, Teen Vogue, "Rihanna's Savage X Fenty New York Fashion Week Show Celebrated Women," 13 Sep. 2018 Collins rubbed his eyes and blinked, looking up at the ceiling in a meeting room in Davidson’s Belk Arena on Friday morning. — David Scott, charlotteobserver, "'So evil.' Concentration camp images impossible for Davidson players to leave behind.," 8 July 2018 Put a few drops in a diffuser; rub a few drops on your hands, wrist, or temples; or place lavender sachets under your pillow. — Danielle Corcione, Teen Vogue, "How to Fall Asleep," 12 Mar. 2019Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
The rub is that CAT, spending on content, outraced CAF, soaring 36% a year over the same period, hitting $13 billion in 2018. — Shawn Tully, Fortune, "This Model Shows How Netflix Can Earn its $145 Billion Valuation—Or Blow It," 31 July 2019 Coat the wings lightly with olive oil and apply the dry rub to all sides of the meat. — ExpressNews.com, "Recipe: Orange-Honey Sriracha Wings," 5 Aug. 2019 They can be tossed in Crown Royal barbecue sauce, house buffalo sauce or chipotle lime dry rub. — Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, "1-pound loaded potatoes, smoked chicken wings headline new Ford Field food," 3 Aug. 2019 Profile: Laura likes to give doggie hugs and get belly rubs. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Pet of the week looking for hugs," 2 Aug. 2019 These fruits and veggies are the exception to the rinse ’n’ rub rule: 1. — Audrey Bruno, SELF, "How Gross Is It to Not Wash Produce Before You Eat It?," 23 July 2019 Consider rubs or marinades if eating chicken routinely to break up dinner monotony. — Ann Maloney, nola.com, "The thighs have it! Chicken pieces keep juicy flavor," 25 June 2019 Stories invoke sentiment to mock it: The little girl out in the snow calling on Daddy to fix her Xmas star because Mommy’s busy having a plasto-rub from the plastic man. — Tom Shippey, WSJ, "Science Fiction: Rediscovering a Golden-Age Treasure," 28 Dec. 2018 His Australian lamb is given an aggressive spice rub, then char-grilled. — Wine Australia, Bon Appétit, "How Aussie Chef Aaron Brooks Brings the Unexpected to His Miami Steakhouse," 16 July 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'rub.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.