Synonyms for rub

noun

1. A rubbing action

   massage, rubdown, brushing, stroke, smoothing, scraping, scouring, buffing, rasping, friction, attrition; see also touch 2.

2. A difficulty

   hindrance, obstacle, dilemma; see difficulty 1, 2, impediment 1.

   Antonyms answer*, solution, aid.

verb

1. To subject to friction

   stroke, scrape, smooth, abrade, scour, grate, grind, wear away, graze, rasp, knead, fret, massage, rub down, polish, shine, burnish, buff, brush, curry, scrub, swab, erase, rub out, file, chafe, clean.

2. To apply by rubbing

   brush, daub, bedaub, paint, smear, spread, cover, coat, plaster, anoint, slather*.