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.

See Examples For:

rubbed

Clearly some of his habits have rubbed off.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 13, 2026

Elderly immigrants showed off injuries they claimed were caused by the noxious air: strange blotches on their skin, temples rubbed raw due to watery eyes.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 10, 2026

But the plans have rubbed some the wrong way.

From Barron's ● Jun. 26, 2026

Towel drying and sweat may have rubbed it off.

From BBC ● Jun. 19, 2026

I rubbed my fingers over Patch’s back, feeling the bones, tiny as Biddy the hen’s.

From "Nory Ryan’s Song" by Patricia Reilly Giff