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Rub synonyms

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massage
A rubbing, kneading, etc. of part of the body, usually with the hands, as to stimulate circulation and make muscles or joints supple, to relieve tension, etc.
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  1. A rubbing, kneading, etc. of part of the body, usually with the hands, as to stimulate circulation and make muscles or joints supple, to relieve tension, etc.
  2. The action of rubbing, kneading or hitting someone's body, to help the person relax, prepare for muscular action (as in contact sports) or to relieve aches.
  3. The therapeutic manipulation of body tissues by a trained practitioner, as by systematic stroking, kneading, or application of pressure, to effect a beneficial physiological response such as pain reduction or improved circulation.
rubdown
A quick, energetic massage
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  1. A quick, energetic massage
  2. A brisk rubbing of the body, as in massage
brushing
An instance of brushing.
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  1. An instance of brushing.
stroke
The manner or rate of executing such a movement:
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  1. The manner or rate of executing such a movement:
  2. A single uninterrupted movement, especially when repeated or in a back-and-forth motion:
  3. A sudden occurrence or result:
smoothing
The act by which something is made smooth.
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  1. The act by which something is made smooth.
scraping
The sound of this
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  1. The sound of this
  2. Something scraped off, together, or up
  3. The act of a person or thing that scrapes
scouring
(Of livestock) Diarrhea.
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  1. (Of livestock) Diarrhea.
  2. The act of cleaning a surface by rubbing it with a brush, soap and water.
buffing
That which is buffed.
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  1. That which is buffed.
friction
Ill will or conflict because of differences of opinion, temperament, etc.
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  1. Ill will or conflict because of differences of opinion, temperament, etc.
  2. Conflict, as between persons having dissimilar ideas or interests; clash.
  3. A force on objects or substances in contact with each other that resists motion of the objects or substances relative to each other. &diamf3; Static friction arises between two objects that are not in motion with respect to each other, as for example between a cement block and a wooden floor. It increases to counterbalance forces that would move the objects, up to a certain maximum level of force, at which point the objects will begin moving. It is measured as the maximum force the bodies will sustain before motion occurs. &diamf3; Kinetic friction arises between bodies that are in motion with respect to each other, as for example the force that works against sliding a cement block along a wooden floor. Between two hard surfaces, the kinetic friction is usually somewhat lower than the static friction, meaning that more force is required to set the objects in motion than to keep them in motion.
attrition
A gradual reduction in number or strength because of stress or military action.
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  1. A gradual reduction in number or strength because of stress or military action.
  2. The act or process of wearing away or grinding down by friction
  3. A gradual reduction in personnel or membership because of resignation, retirement, or death, often viewed in contrast to reduction from layoffs.
hindrance
The state or act of hindering something
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  1. The state or act of hindering something
  2. The act of hindering:
  3. Any person or thing that hinders; obstacle; impediment; obstruction
obstacle
Something that stands in the way of or holds up progress:
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  1. Something that stands in the way of or holds up progress:
  2. Anything that gets in the way or hinders; impediment; obstruction; hindrance
dilemma
Any situation in which one must choose between unpleasant alternatives
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  1. Any situation in which one must choose between unpleasant alternatives
  2. (Usage Problem) A problem that seems to defy a satisfactory solution.
  3. Any serious problem
stroke
To hit or propel (a ball, for example) with a smoothly regulated swing.
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  1. To hit or propel (a ball, for example) with a smoothly regulated swing.
  2. (Informal) To behave attentively or flatteringly toward (someone), especially in order to restore confidence or gain cooperation.
  3. To draw one's hand, a tool, etc. gently over the surface of, as in caressing or smoothing
scrape
To draw (a hard or abrasive object) forcefully over a surface:
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  1. To draw (a hard or abrasive object) forcefully over a surface:
  2. To remove (an outer layer, for example) from a surface by forceful strokes of an edged or rough instrument:
  3. To abrade or smooth by rubbing with a sharp or rough instrument.
smooth
To make (something) even, level, or unwrinkled:
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  1. To make (something) even, level, or unwrinkled:
  2. In a smooth manner
  3. To remove wrinkles from by pressing
abrade
To scrape or rub off; wear away by scraping or rubbing
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  1. To scrape or rub off; wear away by scraping or rubbing
  2. To become worn or scraped by abrasion:
  3. To wear down, rub away, or scrape by friction:
scour
To clean things by vigorous rubbing and polishing
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  1. To clean things by vigorous rubbing and polishing
  2. To remove dirt or grease from (cloth or fibers) by means of a detergent.
  3. To clean, polish, or wash by scrubbing vigorously:
grate
To have an irritating or annoying effect
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  1. To have an irritating or annoying effect
  2. To reduce to fragments, shreds, or powder by rubbing against an abrasive surface.
  3. To irritate or annoy persistently:
grind
To chop into small pieces or fine particles by means of sharp metal blades
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  1. To chop into small pieces or fine particles by means of sharp metal blades
  2. To produce or process by turning a crank:
  3. To sharpen, shape, or smooth by friction
graze
To feed on the herbage of (a piece of land).
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  1. To feed on the herbage of (a piece of land).
  2. To rub or touch lightly the surface of (a thing) in passing.
  3. To touch lightly in passing; brush.
rasp
To scrape harshly; grate.
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  1. To scrape harshly; grate.
  2. To utter in a rough, grating tone
  3. To scrape or rub with or as with a file
knead
To press, rub, or squeeze with the hands; massage
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  1. To press, rub, or squeeze with the hands; massage
  2. To squeeze, press, or roll with the hands, as in massaging:
  3. To mix and work (dough, clay, etc.) into a pliable mass by folding over, pressing, and squeezing, usually with the hands
fret
To disturb the surface of (water or a stream); agitate.
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  1. To disturb the surface of (water or a stream); agitate.
  2. To make rough; disturb
  3. To produce a hole or worn spot in; corrode.
massage
To give a massage to.
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  1. To give a massage to.
  2. To manipulate (data, a document etc.) to make it more presentable or more convenient to work with.
  3. To treat by means of a massage.
rub-down
(Idiomatic) to rub, e.g. for cleaning, stripping paint or massage
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  1. (Idiomatic) to rub, e.g. for cleaning, stripping paint or massage
polish
To become smooth or shiny by being rubbed:
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  1. To become smooth or shiny by being rubbed:
  2. To smooth and brighten, as by rubbing
  3. To refine or remove flaws from; perfect or complete:
shine
(US) To make bright; to cause to shine by reflected light.
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  1. (US) To make bright; to cause to shine by reflected light.
  2. (Cricket) To polish a cricket ball using saliva and one's clothing.
  3. To create light with (a flashlight, lamp, torch, or similar).
burnish
To make or become shiny by rubbing; polish
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  1. To make or become shiny by rubbing; polish
  2. To rub with a tool that serves especially to smooth or polish.
buff
To make smooth or soft like buff
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  1. To make smooth or soft like buff
  2. To polish or shine with a piece of soft material.
  3. To clean or shine with a buff or treated cloth
brush
To apply, spread, remove, etc. with a stroke or strokes as of a brush
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  1. To apply, spread, remove, etc. with a stroke or strokes as of a brush
  2. To use a brush on; clean, polish, paint, smooth, etc. with a brush
  3. To clean, polish, or groom with a brush:
curry
To prepare with curry powder
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  1. To prepare with curry powder
  2. To prepare (tanned leather) by soaking, scraping, cleaning, beating, etc.
  3. To prepare (tanned hides) for use, as by soaking or coloring.
scrub
To rub hard in order to clean:
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  1. To rub hard in order to clean:
  2. To rub hard; to wash with rubbing; usually, to rub with a wet brush, or with something coarse or rough, for the purpose of cleaning or brightening; as, to scrub a floor, a doorplate.
  3. To remove (dirt, etc.) by brushing or rubbing
swab
To collect a sample from (a person, for example) using a swab.
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  1. To collect a sample from (a person, for example) using a swab.
  2. To use a swab on; clean, medicate, etc. with a swab
  3. To clean with a swab.
erase
To remove (something written, for example) by rubbing, wiping, or scraping.
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  1. To remove (something written, for example) by rubbing, wiping, or scraping.
  2. To remove (data) from a computer storage device
  3. To remove (recorded material) from a magnetic tape or other storage medium:
file
To put or keep (papers, for example) in useful order for storage or reference.
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  1. To put or keep (papers, for example) in useful order for storage or reference.
  2. To smooth, grind down, or cut through as with a file
  3. To smooth, reduce, or remove with or as if with a file.
chafe
To rub (on or against)
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  1. To rub (on or against)
  2. To warm by rubbing, as with the hands.
  3. To become worn or sore from rubbing or friction:
clean
To rid of dirt, rubbish, or impurities:
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  1. To rid of dirt, rubbish, or impurities:
  2. To remove (dirt, impurities, etc.) in making clean
  3. In a clean or nonpolluting manner:
brush
To use a brush on; clean, polish, paint, smooth, etc. with a brush
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  1. To use a brush on; clean, polish, paint, smooth, etc. with a brush
  2. To clean, polish, or groom with a brush:
  3. To apply, spread, remove, etc. with a stroke or strokes as of a brush
daub
To apply paint or coloring with crude, unskillful strokes.
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  1. To apply paint or coloring with crude, unskillful strokes.
  2. To paint coarsely or unskillfully
  3. To cover or smear with a soft adhesive substance such as plaster, grease, or mud.
bedaub
To ornament showily; overdecorate
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  1. To ornament showily; overdecorate
  2. To make daubs on; smudge or smear over
  3. To ornament in a vulgar, showy fashion.
paint
To apply medicine to; swab:
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  1. To apply medicine to; swab:
  2. To cover or decorate with paint; color
  3. To serve as a surface to be coated with paint:
smear
To apply (a ) to, so as to leave a coating, mark, etc.
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  1. To apply (a ) to, so as to leave a coating, mark, etc.
  2. To cause to be blurry or spread in unwanted places:
  3. To spread or daub (a surface, for example) with a sticky, greasy, or dirty substance.
spread
To be exhibited, displayed, or visible in broad or full extent:
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  1. To be exhibited, displayed, or visible in broad or full extent:
  2. To draw out so as to display more fully; open or stretch out so as to cover more space; unfold or unfurl
  3. To cover with a layer:
cover
To put a cover or covering on:
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  1. To put a cover or covering on:
  2. To record or perform a cover of
  3. To lie over or adhere to so as to protect or conceal:
coat
To cover with a layer of something
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  1. To cover with a layer of something
  2. To provide or cover with a coat.
  3. To cover with a layer, as of paint.
plaster
To apply plaster.
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  1. To apply plaster.
  2. To cover conspicuously, as with things pasted on; overspread:
  3. To cover, coat, or repair with plaster.
anoint
To put oil on during a religious ceremony as a sign of sanctification or consecration.
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  1. To put oil on during a religious ceremony as a sign of sanctification or consecration.
  2. To apply oil, ointment, or a similar substance to.
  3. To choose by or as if by divine intervention.
slather
To use or use up in a lavish or wasteful way
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  1. To use or use up in a lavish or wasteful way
  2. To cover with something spread or smeared in large amounts:
  3. To cover or spread thickly
blot
To spill or spread in a spot or stain.
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  1. To spill or spread in a spot or stain.
  2. To spot or stain, as with a discoloring substance:
  3. To render invisible or unreadable by marking; obliterate. Often used with out :
cancel
To cross out with lines or other markings.
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  1. To cross out with lines or other markings.
  2. To cross out with lines or other marks, as in deleting written matter or marking a check as used and cleared
  3. (Math.) To remove (a common factor from both terms of a fraction, equivalents of opposite sign or on opposite sides of an equation, etc.)
cross
To combine the qualities of two things:
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  1. To combine the qualities of two things:
  2. To go or extend across; pass from one side of to the other:
  3. (Sports) To propel (a ball or puck) as a cross, as in soccer.
delete
To take out (a printed or written letter, word, etc.); cross out
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  1. To take out (a printed or written letter, word, etc.); cross out
  2. To remove from a document or record:
  3. To remove (a file, for example) from a hard drive or other storage medium.
efface
To rub or wipe out; erase:
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  1. To rub or wipe out; erase:
  2. (Medicine) To cause to become shorter, softer, and thinner during labor:
  3. To become shorter, softer, and thinner during labor. Used of the cervix.
erase
To rub, scrape, or wipe out (esp. written or engraved letters); efface; expunge
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  1. To rub, scrape, or wipe out (esp. written or engraved letters); efface; expunge
  2. To remove (something written, for example) by rubbing, wiping, or scraping.
  3. To remove recorded material from (a magnetic tape or disk, for example):
expunge
To eliminate completely; wipe out:
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  1. To eliminate completely; wipe out:
  2. To erase, delete, or strike out:
  3. To erase or remove completely; blot out or strike out; delete; cancel
obliterate
To blot out or wear away, leaving no traces; erase; efface
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  1. To blot out or wear away, leaving no traces; erase; efface
  2. To remove a body organ or part completely, as by surgery, disease, or radiation.
  3. To remove or destroy completely so as to leave no trace.
scratch
(--- Slang) To cancel (a project or program, for example).
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  1. (--- Slang) To cancel (a project or program, for example).
  2. To mark, break, or cut the surface of slightly with something pointed or sharp
  3. To strike out or cancel (a word, for example) by or as if by drawing lines through.
strike
The course or bearing of a structural surface, such as an inclined bed or a fault plane, as it intersects a horizontal plane.
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  1. The course or bearing of a structural surface, such as an inclined bed or a fault plane, as it intersects a horizontal plane.
  2. To form by stamping, printing, or punching:
  3. To produce or play by manipulating strings or keys:
undo
To come open or unfastened.
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  1. To come open or unfastened.
  2. To open (a parcel, door, etc.) by this means
  3. To open (a parcel, for example); unwrap.
wipe
To subject to light rubbing or friction, as with a cloth or paper, in order to clean or dry.
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  1. To subject to light rubbing or friction, as with a cloth or paper, in order to clean or dry.
  2. To form (a joint) in plumbing by spreading solder with a piece of cloth or leather.
  3. To rub, move, or pass (a cloth, for example) over a surface.
x
To delete or cancel (written or printed matter) with or as with one or more X's
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  1. To delete or cancel (written or printed matter) with or as with one or more X's
  2. To indicate (one's choice or answer) by or as by marking with an X
  3. To mark or sign with an X.
vacate
To cease to hold (a job or position):
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  1. To cease to hold (a job or position):
  2. To leave (a house, room, etc.) uninhabited or untenanted; give up the occupancy of
  3. To physically leave, as in “to vacate the building. See also abandonment and overrule.
snag
A dead or partly dead tree that is still standing.
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  1. A dead or partly dead tree that is still standing.
  2. A pulled thread in knitted material, causing a loop at the point where it is caught
  3. A break, pull, or tear in fabric.
catch
A tricky or previously unsuspected condition or drawback:
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  1. A tricky or previously unsuspected condition or drawback:
  2. A device for fastening something or for checking motion:
  3. A tricky or disadvantageous condition; a catch:
Find another word for rub. In this page you can discover 77 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for rub, like: massage, rubdown, brushing, stroke, smoothing, scraping, scouring, buffing, rasping, friction and attrition.

Sentence Examples

  • Not rub his face in it.

  • He squatted beside the cot, continuing to rub her back.

  • If you came out here to rub it in, you can go back in the house.

  • She paused to rub her face hard with the meaty parts of her hands.

  • They inched forward, one behind the other, hands at their sides lest they rub the slime of the rock walls that wept on either side.

More sentences →

Words near rub in the Thesaurus