rub out

verb

rubbed out; rubbing out; rubs out

transitive verb

1

: to obliterate by or as if by rubbing

2

: to destroy completely

specifically : kill, murder

somebody rubbed him out … with a twenty-two

—Raymond Chandler

rubout

ˈrəb-ˌau̇t 

noun

Synonyms

• annihilate
• cream
• decimate
• demolish
• desolate
• destroy
• devastate
• do in
• extinguish
• nuke
• pull down
• pulverize
• raze
• ruin
• shatter
• smash
• tear down
• total
• vaporize
• waste
• wrack
• wreck

Examples of rub out in a Sentence

aerial bombs rubbed out the oil refinery

an elaborate setup to rub out rival mobsters

Recent Examples on the Web

The News started a morning edition to rub out its competitor. —Tim Kiska, Detroit Free Press, 21 Dec. 2024

Apply additional pressure while attempting to rub out these stains, but don't go crazy. —Gia Yetikyel, Vogue, 31 Aug. 2024

Even so, the line about YB is specific enough to stay, since the suspects are accused of conspiring to rub out his killer, Cogan stated. —John Annese, New York Daily News, 24 Mar. 2024

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

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

rub out

verb

: to remove by or as if by erasing