SCRUBBING Synonyms: 50 Similar and Opposite Words

scrubbing

verb

present participle of scrub

as in scrapping

to put an end to (something planned or previously agreed to) the outdoor art project was scrubbed when the organizers found out they needed permission from city hall

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of scrubbing The company dispensed with its DEI disclosures to investors, scrubbing any references to goals and resources aimed at boosting diversity at the company. — Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 12 Oct. 2026 Let everything sit on your toilet bowl for a while before scrubbing gently and finally flushing your toilet. — Asia London Palomba, The Spruce, 27 Sep. 2026 Storing knives loose in a drawer and scrubbing them too zealously creates a fine network of scratches, further dulling the finish. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 25 Sep. 2026 Rinse it all off and enjoy a fresh, welcoming space that’s as good as new, no major scrubbing marathon required. — Sophie Flaxman, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Sep. 2026 Focus on crevices and edges where grease and debris tend to accumulate, but avoid scrubbing too harshly. — Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 17 Sep. 2026 Soak pans before cleaning them, and turn off the faucet when scrubbing. — Simmone Shah, Time, 26 Aug. 2026 Avoid scrubbing hard on waterproof or specialized protective coating. — Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 17 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for scrubbing

Verb

His party invited high school activists on stage at a rally Sunday, then proposed lowering the voting age to 16 and scrapping selective admissions at universities.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026
Bumble distinguished itself by only allowing women to message first, eventually going public in 2021 at a $14 billion valuation, before scrapping its hallmark rule this year amid declining users.

— Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of scrapping

Verb

Carreira cautioned against abandoning wholesale too early, however, as retailers remain vital for reaching customers and building visibility.

— Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 17 Oct. 2026
Advertisement Dialogue does not mean abandoning our values, excusing aggression, or accepting injustice.

— Halla Tómasdóttir, Time, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of abandoning

Verb

Organizers have held discussions around allowing overseas executives to participate virtually, Reuters reported last week, and The Wall Street Journal said that some executives are already canceling meetings.

— Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 19 Oct. 2026
Mission Control faced the prospect of aborting the landing, but Margaret's ingenious programming allowed the system to prioritize essential tasks while canceling the inessential ones.

— Dean Robbins, Space.com, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of canceling

Verb

Proposals that would reform Section 230 range from adding exceptions for extreme cases to revoking immunity for social media companies altogether.

— Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026
In one instance, McGregor pressured the City Council into revoking support for the controversial Interstate 77 South toll lanes project at the threat of losing the caucus’ endorsement, according to multiple council members.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of revoking

Verb

Fifteen seconds after touching down, one of the pilots called for aborting the landing and the engine throttles were increased to a value consistent with go-around thrust, the NTSB said.

— Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2026
After aborting a Starship test flight last week, SpaceX plans to try again this Thursday evening.

— Jim Cramer, CNBC, 20 July 2026

Definition of aborting

Verb

Demolishing universities, assaulting the press, violently resegregating the public sphere, ramming degenerative AI down our throats, incarcerating mere zine makers, the regime is systematically repealing the right to culture.

— Anna Kornbluh, ARTnews.com, 7 Oct. 2026
In contrast to Democrats, their agenda has included repealing no-excuse absentee balloting, banning the use of ballot drop boxes and instituting stronger voter identification requirements.

— Daniel J. Mallinson, The Conversation, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of repealing

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scrubbed

scrubbing

scrubby

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“Scrubbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scrubbing. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of scrubbing

verb

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