Word Explorer

Rub

🔄 Synonyms of "Rub"

9 synonyms found via WordNet and Google Books.

Word	Definition
fretverb	(transitive) To chafe or irritate; to worry.
chafenoun	(transitive) To excite heat in by friction; to rub in order to stimulate and make warm.
snagnoun	(figuratively) A problem or difficulty with something.
fraynoun	(transitive) (also figuratively) To rub or wear away (something); to cause (something made of strands twisted or woven together, such as cloth or rope) to unravel through friction; also, to irritate (something) through chafing or rubbing; to chafe.
hitchnoun	(informal) A problem, delay or source of difficulty.
scratchnoun	To rub a surface with a sharp object, especially by a living creature to remove itching with nails, claws, etc.
wipeverb	(transitive) To move an object over, maintaining contact, with the intention of removing some substance from the surface. (Compare rub.)
hang-upnoun	(informal) An emotional difficulty or a psychological inhibition.
itchnoun	A sensation felt on an area of the skin that causes a person or animal to want to scratch said area.

💡 Words with a Similar Meaning to "Rub"

Found via reverse dictionary — words that share a conceptual meaning.

Word	Definition
wipeverb	(transitive) To move an object over, maintaining contact, with the intention of removing some substance from the surface. (Compare rub.)
chafenoun	(transitive) To excite heat in by friction; to rub in order to stimulate and make warm.
scratchnoun	To rub a surface with a sharp object, especially by a living creature to remove itching with nails, claws, etc.
itchnoun	A sensation felt on an area of the skin that causes a person or animal to want to scratch said area.
fretverb	(transitive) To chafe or irritate; to worry.
hitchnoun	(informal) A problem, delay or source of difficulty.
hang-upnoun	(informal) An emotional difficulty or a psychological inhibition.
fraynoun	(transitive) (also figuratively) To rub or wear away (something); to cause (something made of strands twisted or woven together, such as cloth or rope) to unravel through friction; also, to irritate (something) through chafing or rubbing; to chafe.
snagnoun	(figuratively) A problem or difficulty with something.
abradeverb	(transitive) To rub or wear off; erode.
carveverb	To cut meat in order to serve it.
brushnoun	An implement consisting of multiple more or less flexible bristles or other filaments attached to a handle, used for any of various purposes including cleaning, painting, and arranging hair.
pressnoun	An instance of applying pressure; an instance of pressing.
strokenoun	An act of hitting; a blow, a hit.
ointmentnoun	(medicine) A viscous preparation of oils and/or fats, usually containing medication, used as a treatment or as an emollient.
shoenoun	(footwear) A protective covering for the foot, with a bottom part composed of thick leather or plastic sole and often a thicker heel, and a softer upper part made of leather or synthetic material. Shoes generally do not extend above the ankle, as opposed to boots, which do.
touchnoun	Primarily physical senses.
hiccupnoun	A spasm of the diaphragm, or the resulting sound.
scrubnoun	(transitive) 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
massagenoun	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.