rubbed

VERB

stroke, massage

Synonyms

STRONGEST

apply brush caress clean coat cover glaze graze grind knead paint pat scrape scrub slather smear smooth spread wear wipe

STRONG

abrade anoint bark buff burnish chafe curry daub erase erode excoriate file fray fret furbish glance gloss grate mop plaster polish put rasp scour shine swab

WEAK

triturate wear down

Antonyms

STRONGEST

dirty reveal strip uncover

STRONG

dull make happy please

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But the plans have rubbed some the wrong way.

From Barron's • Jun. 26, 2026

Andy Robertson rubbed his hands over his face in frustration.

From BBC • Jun. 20, 2026

He joined China’s top political advisory body in 2008 and rubbed shoulders with other billionaires, including Alibaba co-founder Jack Ma.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

Once infected, the flea spreads the disease to humans when flea feces is rubbed into cuts or scrapes on the skin or the eyes.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

He rubbed it between his palms and muttered a few words, which I did not understand.

From "Black Star, Bright Dawn" by Scott O'Dell