rubbing
noun
rub·bing ˈrə-biŋ 
: an image of a raised, incised, or textured surface obtained by placing paper over it and rubbing the paper with a colored substance
Example Sentences
He made a rubbing of the old tombstone.
Recent Examples on the Web The three-year-old Chattanooga, Tenn.-based company makes portable, cement fireplaces that operate on just isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol, safely bringing a small but heat-generating flame to the great indoors. 
Outside Online, 11 Aug. 2021 Plus, the polyester fabric used for Samsonite bags proved durable in our Lab tests, resisting damage from abrasion and rubbing. Amanda Constantine, Good Housekeeping, 26 Aug. 2022 The team plans to look into how the coral rubbing behavior differs in dolphins of different sexes and ages—and which areas of the body dolphins brush the most. Elizabeth Gamillo, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 May 2022 Petroleum jelly helps prevent wetsuit or speedsuit rubbing. Joe Jackson, Outside Online, 2 Oct. 2014 This summer, work out in one of our comfortable running short picks that don't ride up and stay in place without irritation or rubbing. Emma Seymour, Good Housekeeping, 4 Aug. 2022 If sweat and humidity trigger your eczema, opt for loose-fitting clothing whenever possible to allow the skin to breathe and to avoid uncomfortable rubbing and irritation. Mara Santilli, SELF, 3 Aug. 2022 Then an instance of rubbing wheels with teammate Colton Herta, something Rossi had weathered many times, went horribly wrong. Nathan Brown, The Indianapolis Star, 30 July 2022 Small abrasions on his head, hands and feet were likely caused from the painful rubbing against hot parts of the car seat, according to the medical examiner. Ray Sanchez, CNN, 2 July 2022 See More
Outside Online, 11 Aug. 2021 Plus, the polyester fabric used for Samsonite bags proved durable in our Lab tests, resisting damage from abrasion and rubbing. Amanda Constantine, Good Housekeeping, 26 Aug. 2022 The team plans to look into how the coral rubbing behavior differs in dolphins of different sexes and ages—and which areas of the body dolphins brush the most. Elizabeth Gamillo, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 May 2022 Petroleum jelly helps prevent wetsuit or speedsuit rubbing. Joe Jackson, Outside Online, 2 Oct. 2014 This summer, work out in one of our comfortable running short picks that don't ride up and stay in place without irritation or rubbing. Emma Seymour, Good Housekeeping, 4 Aug. 2022 If sweat and humidity trigger your eczema, opt for loose-fitting clothing whenever possible to allow the skin to breathe and to avoid uncomfortable rubbing and irritation. Mara Santilli, SELF, 3 Aug. 2022 Then an instance of rubbing wheels with teammate Colton Herta, something Rossi had weathered many times, went horribly wrong. Nathan Brown, The Indianapolis Star, 30 July 2022 Small abrasions on his head, hands and feet were likely caused from the painful rubbing against hot parts of the car seat, according to the medical examiner. Ray Sanchez, CNN, 2 July 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
1845, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing rubbing
rubbing
verb
1
as in wearing
to damage or diminish by continued friction the brake pads were rubbed away as a result of years of use Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- wearing
- eroding
- fraying
- abrading
- chafing
- shaving
- scraping
- reducing
- biting
- sandpapering
- scuffing
- eating
- erasing
- fretting
- chewing
- sharpening
- rasping
- gnawing
- galling
- corrading
- nibbling
- filing
- grazing
- grinding
- scouring
- sandblasting
- corroding
- grating
- disintegrating
- frazzling
- dissolving
- decomposing
- wearing out
- rubbing out
- honing
- whetting
- wiping (away)
- breaking down
- breaking up
2
as in grinding
to make smooth by friction the furniture restorer rubbed the board perfectly smooth with sandpaper Synonyms & Similar Words
- grinding
- polishing
- buffing
- scraping
- sanding
- sharpening
- filing
- honing
- smoothing
- rasping
- burnishing
- shining
- planing
- scouring
- sandblasting
- glossing
- edging
- stropping
- dressing
- regrinding
- whetting
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- scuffing
- roughening
- roughing (up)
- coarsening
3
as in polishing
to make smooth or glossy usually by repeatedly applying surface pressure the butler rubbed the silver tea set until it gleamed Synonyms & Similar Words
- polishing
- smoothing
- scrubbing
- burnishing
- coating
- buffing
- scraping
- grinding
- shining
- glossing
- sanding
- slicking
- dressing
- furbishing
- finishing
- bobbing
- smoothening
- sandpapering
- lacquering
- glazing
- facing
- varnishing
- filing
- sleeking
- japanning
- brightening
- scouring
- lapping
- sandblasting
- veneering
- boning
- rasping
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- ruffling
- scuffing (up)
- roughening
- roughing (up)