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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.

Dissension among the board grew, and Neugebauer’s charismatic, but at-times abrasive, style rubbed some the wrong way, some of the people said.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 16, 2026

His grandiose persona rubbed many the wrong way early on, earning him a villain label.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2026

“They rubbed a little salt in the wound,” Knight said.

From Salon • Mar. 17, 2026

A friend convinced him to head to hospital where concerned emergency ward staff put him on oxygen - but the penny dropped when a medic rubbed his arm with a swab that turned blue.

From BBC • Mar. 13, 2026

Abby rubbed the tears from her cheeks and shifted position, trying to get comfortable.

From "Earthquake Terror" by Peg Kehret