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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to assassinate
to put to death deliberately
an elaborate setup to rub out rival mobsters
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to eradicate
to destroy all traces of
a promise to rub out the city's drug trade
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
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
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
Noun
-
Among the editions that helped The Observer earn a top-10 designation were cover stories on the 40th anniversary of the Sweet 16, on the 25th anniversary of the Rae Carruth murder trial, on Johnson C. Smith football, and a feature package on National Girls and Women in Sports Day.—
Observer staff report,
Charlotte Observer,
3 Mar. 2025
-
This comes as police killings have also long raised concerns from the public, most notably leading to massive Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests in 2020 following the death of George Floyd by Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer who was convicted of his murder.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
2 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Lost in a sea of ash: When wildfire destroys a home — and a loved one’s urn — the search begins.—
Ryan Fonseca,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Mar. 2025
-
This is a major U-turn from Riot, after completely revamping the rewards system at the start of the year and being destroyed by fans for it.—
Mike Stubbs,
Forbes,
4 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Trent, who once attempted to assassinate Bradford back upstairs on earth, finally finds confirmation that Bradford and his administration have lied about the lack of survivors on earth.—
Jen Chaney,
Vulture,
4 Mar. 2025
-
Despite Sidao’s removal from power in 1275 (he was assassinated), the Mongols continued their successful military campaigns, culminating in the collapse of the Southern Song dynasty in 1279.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes,
23 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
In places where measles have largely been eradicated, cases have been spread by travelers from other countries.—
ASSOCIATED PRESS,
TIME,
27 Feb. 2025
-
Or for whatever reason, your particular brand of BV or yeast may just need a stronger or longer dose of meds to eradicate.—
Erica Sloan,
SELF,
27 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The man was accused of strangling his 61-year-old victim and hitting the man’s head against the ground near a gas station on Washington Street near Fourth Avenue shortly before 5 p.m., San Diego homicide Lt. Lou Maggi said in a news release.—
Maura Fox,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 Mar. 2025
-
Officer Anthony Gamble, a department spokesperson, said that victim was in critical condition and that homicide detectives were investigating the scene.—
Stephen Hobbs,
Sacramento Bee,
2 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.—
Tanasia Kenney,
Miami Herald,
11 Mar. 2025
-
Alli Jo adds that the kids left school to appear on the date with Grant and the ladies, so Zoe ruined their day, too.—
Kristen Baldwin,
EW.com,
11 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Nearly half of them were slain using poison gas, according to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, at death camps like Auschwitz, Belzec, Sobibor and Treblinka.—
Dakin Andone,
CNN,
12 Mar. 2025
-
The right-wing host identified the staffer as Jamie White, who according to Jones, was slain outside his Austin, Texas apartment late Sunday.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
11 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
However, the fact the show includes Laurie’s Christianity while simultaneously erasing a scene featuring a trans character hints at Disney’s embrace of a cultural shift towards traditional conservatism during the second Trump administration.—
Abby Monteil,
Them,
4 Mar. 2025
-
The Sharks erased a two-goal deficit in the third period, killed off a penalty in overtime, and saw Tyler Toffoli and Fabian Zetterlund both score goals in the shootout to earn a dramatic 3-2 win over the Leafs at Scotiabank Arena.—
Curtis Pashelka,
The Mercury News,
4 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rubout.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rubout. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share