rub
verb (used with object)
to subject the surface of (a thing or person) to pressure and friction, as in cleaning, smoothing, polishing, coating, massaging, or soothing.
was rubbing
-
past progressiveof rub.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
Smith was rubbing shoulders with Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, and the poet William Burroughs.
From BBC ● Nov. 4, 2025
McNown also disputed the notion that he was rubbing it in, saying teams played hard to the end of games back then.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 16, 2023
"You know that that was that was the woman who was rubbing my back, not the guy," Giuliani said, as Kelly chuckled.
From Salon ● Jun. 28, 2022
She was rubbing each of their backs in turn with one hand — rub, rub, pat, next; rub, rub, pat, next — while rocking a fifth in her other arm.
From New York Times ● Jan. 9, 2018
She was rubbing sweat off her face and neck with the dusty head rag.
From "Cold Sassy Tree" by Olive Ann Burns
