rubout 1 of 2

noun

Definition of ruboutnext
as in murder
the intentional and unlawful taking of another person's life the mafia boss ordered a rubout as casually as you might order a pizza

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rub out

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to destroy
to bring to a complete end the physical soundness, existence, or usefulness of aerial bombs rubbed out the oil refinery

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to assassinate
to put to death deliberately an elaborate setup to rub out rival mobsters

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to eradicate
to destroy all traces of a promise to rub out the city's drug trade

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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 rubout
Verb
Each wipe comes pre-soaked in Shout stain fighter and is designed with a textured surface that creates extra friction to rub out stains. — Katherine Alex Beaven, Travel + Leisure, 27 Nov. 2023 Leach, subsequently dealt from the Seals to the Flyers in May 1974, won the Cup with the Broad Streeters in ‘75 and amassed his 19 the following spring, when they were rubbed out by the Canadiens, 4-0, in the Cup Final. — Kevin Paul Dupont, BostonGlobe.com, 13 May 2023 The Penguins were rubbed out easily Tuesday night by the resurgent Devils, 5-1, a dispiriting loss that dipped them 1 point out of a wild-card spot behind the Panthers and Islanders. — Kevin Paul Dupont, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Apr. 2023 But church officials warn that secularization more than anything led them to rub out the godparents, a Sicilian thing that’s been going on for 2,000 years, or at least since the church’s dicey first days, when sponsors known to bishops vouched for converts to prevent pagan infiltration. — New York Times, 16 Oct. 2021 See All Example Sentences for rubout
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rubout
  1. murder
  2. destroy
  3. assassinate
  4. eradicate
  5. homicide
  6. ruin
  7. slay
  8. erase
Noun
  • Monroe County Sheriff’s Office detectives are investigating the murder of a woman whose body was found stuffed into a closet Monday at a Florida Keys resort.
    — David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2025
  • The Menendez brothers were convicted in 1996 for the murder of their parents, José and Kitty Menendez.
    — Jenny Goldsberry, The Washington Examiner, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of murder
Verb
  • Af Klint edited her own notebooks later in life, rewriting or destroying entire passages and exorcising biographical details.
    — Jay Cheshes, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Mar. 2025
  • The Palisades and Eaton fires burned more than 40,000 acres and destroyed at least 12,000 buildings.
    — Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of destroy
Verb
  • The expiration date marks the day the Prime Minister of Granada, Maurice Bishop, was assassinated by a firing squad, which was followed by a U.S. military invasion.
    — R. Daniel Foster, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025
  • One 1964 document showed that two intelligence assets discussed potentially assassinating Castro under the administration of President Lyndon Johnson.
    — David Brennan, ABC News, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of assassinate
Verb
  • Formed from improved and ultra-stable memory foam, wrapped in high-quality synthetic leather, the ear pads eradicate foam rolling to ensure a more consistent fit and longer service life.
    — Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • In my experience, one season of treatment typically eradicates magnolia scale — but 2025 may be an exception.
    — Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 6 Apr. 2025
Definition of eradicate
Noun
  • The sisters of a Northern California mother of four are seeking answers after her disappearance was recently ruled a homicide.
    — Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 7 Apr. 2025
  • The homicide investigation is the 24th of the year investigated by Oakland police.
    — Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of homicide
Verb
  • Curtis left her job as a deputy in August 2023 and sued the county soon after, claiming in court documents that Anderson’s harassment ruined her reputation and career with the county.
    — Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 4 Apr. 2025
  • However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.
    — Simone Jasper, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of ruin
Verb
  • Now, residents of Gaza and the West Bank are at the mercy of Israeli military operations in which fighters and civilians are being slain at staggering rates.
    — Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Blumhouse’s slaying doll returns to domestic cinemas on June 27.
    — Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 2 Apr. 2025
Definition of slay
Verb
  • The service comes at a price, according to a release: The relived memories are permanently erased after viewing.
    — Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 28 Mar. 2025
  • This year was a step in the right direction for the program, but that’s all erased if Kevin Willard leaves.
    — Baltimore Sun staff, Baltimore Sun, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of erase

Browse Nearby Words

rubicund
rubout
rub out
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rubout.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rubout. Accessed 12 Apr. 2025.

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