scrub
Rub very hard
To scrub a tangible thing is to clean it with vigorous rubbing, often with something abrasive.
When you do this, you give it a scrub.
A cosmetic treatment for the skin may also be called a scrub.
In figurative use, you can scrub intangible things: I need to scrub the errors from this paragraph.
Hospital staff wear scrubs, a type of loose-fitting uniform clothing.
A different noun scrub is related to shrub and describes an area with bushy vegetation.
Fatty alkali cleanser
- rinseWash without scrubbing
- spongeAbsorbent cleaning material
- disinfectKill pathogens on surfaces
- sanitizeCleanse of pathogens
bleach · detergent · lather · wash · shine · mop · bucket · bristle
Vigorous physical effort
- effortApplied energy toward goals
- scouringVigorous abrasive cleaning
- pressureForce upon contact
- frictionResistance between touching surfaces
persistence · toil · labor · grind · sweat · dedication · elbow grease · vigorous
Dense, drought-adapted shrubbery
- shrublandBush-dominated vegetation zone
- heathOpen land with shrubs
- maquisMediterranean coastal scrub
- sagebrushAromatic arid-land shrub
manzanita · mesquite · underbrush · thicket · brushland · bush · mallee · bramble
Plant-based bath scrubber
- pumiceLightweight volcanic abrasive
- microbeadsTiny plastic cosmetic particles
- glycolicDerived from sugarcane
- salicylicAcid from willow bark
dermabrasion · peel · exfoliant · renewal · smoothing · brightening · radiance · skincare
Microbe-killing substance
- sterileFree from microorganisms
- operating-roomSurgical suite in hospitals
- preoperativeBefore a medical procedure
- chlorhexidineMedical-grade antimicrobial compound
betadine · gown · gloves · mask · surgeon · nurse · hospital · protocol
Vigorous abrasive cleaning
- gritDetermination or abrasive particles
- sandpaperAbrasive-coated finishing material
- steel-woolBundled metal filaments for cleaning
- brilloScouring pad manufacturer
emery · coarse · rough · abrasion · harsh · friction · grind · rasp
Unable to produce
- aridDevoid of water
- desolateBleak and abandoned
- sparseThinly scattered or distributed
- outbackRemote interior wilderness
badlands · wilderness · remote · uninhabited · harsh · rugged · inhospitable · wasteland
Identical throughout
- nurseHealthcare provider, bedside
- doctorLicensed medical healer
- medicalOf healthcare practice
- healthcareOrganized provision of treatment
green · blue · cotton · comfortable · workwear · clinical · ward
Seldom-used team member
- reserveSupply kept back
- amateurNonprofessional participant
- rookieInexperienced newcomer
- second-stringSubstitute team members
novice · underdog · walk-on · backup · minor-league
soap
Fatty alkali cleanser
sanitize · bleach · detergent · lather · wash · shine · mop · bucket · bristle · elbow-grease
exertion
Vigorous physical effort
friction · persistence · toil · labor · grind · sweat · dedication · elbow grease · vigorous · cleaning
chaparral
Dense, drought-adapted shrubbery
sagebrush · manzanita · mesquite · underbrush · thicket · brushland · bush · mallee · bramble · gorse
loofah
Plant-based bath scrubber
- pumiceLightweight volcanic abrasive
- microbeadsTiny plastic cosmetic particles
- glycolicDerived from sugarcane
salicylic · dermabrasion · peel · exfoliant · renewal · smoothing · brightening · radiance · skincare · spa
abort
End before completion
abandon · scrap · axe · terminate · halt · discontinue · postpone · shelve · drop · scratch
antiseptic
Microbe-killing substance
- sterileFree from microorganisms
- operating-roomSurgical suite in hospitals
- preoperativeBefore a medical procedure
chlorhexidine · betadine · gown · gloves · mask · surgeon · nurse · hospital · protocol · hygiene
scouring
Vigorous abrasive cleaning
- gritDetermination or abrasive particles
- sandpaperAbrasive-coated finishing material
- steel-woolBundled metal filaments for cleaning
brillo · emery · coarse · rough · abrasion · harsh · friction · grind · rasp · scuff
barren
Unable to produce
outback · badlands · wilderness · remote · uninhabited · harsh · rugged · inhospitable · wasteland · backcountry
uniform
Identical throughout
healthcare · green · blue · cotton · comfortable · workwear · clinical · ward
benchwarmer
Seldom-used team member
second-string · novice · underdog · walk-on · backup · minor-league
- beautymakeup, cosmetics, lipstick, mascara, eyeliner
- hygienehygiene, handwashing, toothbrush, hand washing, sanitizer
- groomingbrushing teeth, clean shave, bathe, groomed, haircut
- bathingbath, bathtub, bathe, wash, tub
- cleaning actionspolish, dust, wash, sweep, mop
- handwashinghandwashing, soap, lather, rinse, hand soap
scrubgo ahead
Permission to begin
proceed · continue · commence · schedule · greenlight
scrubforest
Tree-dense ecosystem
woodland · old-growth forest · rainforest · jungle · timber
- scrub upCleanse hands for sterility
- scrub spongeTextured dish cleaner
- scrub brushStiff-bristled cleaning implement
- scrub outClean by hard rubbing
- hand scrubAbrasive soap for palms
- body scrubGrainy cleanser removing dead cells
scrubbing, scrubbed, scrubs, scrubby, scrubber, scrubland, scrubbers, scrub oak, scrubbings