Apply with friction

Latest answer — September 14, 2026

22 Down

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Clue explained

RUB means to apply something by moving it across a surface with friction, as when rubbing in cream or polish. It is the base-form verb required by “Apply”.

Clue type:
Definition
A hand applying cream to skin by rubbing

Telegraph Quick Crossword

This clue's Monday, September 14, 2026 appearance

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The answer to Apply with friction in the The Telegraph Quick crossword is RUB — a 3-letter word. It most recently appeared in the The Telegraph Quick crossword on September 14, 2026, a Monday puzzle, at 22-Down. Below you'll find why that fill fits, every other answer we've recorded for this clue, and links into the puzzle it came from.

Apply with friction” answer

RUB (3 letters)

Reveal the solution one letter at a time with the tiles above if you'd rather nudge yourself toward it than see the whole word at once. Just want it outright? The answer is RUB.

What does RUB mean?

Reading the plain dictionary sense of RUB is often the fastest way to see why it answers this clue.

(verb)

  • apply firm pressure to the surface of (something), using a repeated back and forth motion
  • (with reference to two things) move or cause to move to and fro against each other with a certain amount of friction

When else has “Apply with friction” appeared?

The Telegraph Quick reuses clues across dates, sometimes with a different answer depending on the grid. Here's where this exact clue has shown up, and what the answer was each time — handy when you're checking whether today's fill is the only one.

September 14, 2026 (most recent) RUB. We haven't indexed another appearance of this exact clue yet.

Frequently asked questions

What is the answer to “Apply with friction”?

The answer is RUB, a 3-letter word. It most recently appeared in the The Telegraph Quick crossword on September 14, 2026.

How many letters is the answer to “Apply with friction”?

3 letters: RUB.

When did this clue appear?

Most recently in the The Telegraph Quick crossword on September 14, 2026 (a Monday puzzle), at 22-Down.

Can “Apply with friction” have a different answer?

Yes — The Telegraph Quick sometimes reuses a clue with a different solution to fit the grid. The answers we've recorded for each date it appeared are listed above when available.

Where can I find the rest of this day's Telegraph Quick answers?

The full grid for September 14, 2026 is on the Telegraph Quick answers page, with every clue and answer from that puzzle.

The Telegraph Quick Crossword is published by The Telegraph; WordHint is an independent site and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the publisher.

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