rubber-stamp

1 of 2

verb

rub·​ber-stamp ˈrə-bər-ˈstamp 

rubber-stamped; rubber-stamping; rubber-stamps

transitive verb

1

: to approve, endorse, or dispose of as a matter of routine or at the command of another

2

: to mark with a rubber stamp

rubber stamp

2 of 2

noun

1

: a stamp of rubber for making imprints

2

a

: a person who echoes or imitates others

b

: a mostly powerless yet officially recognized body or person that approves or endorses programs and policies initiated usually by a single specified source

the parliament was a rubber stamp for the dictator

3

a

: a stereotyped copy or expression

the usual rubber stamps of criticism

—H. L. Mencken

b

: a routine endorsement or approval

Synonyms

Noun

• aper
• copycat
• copyist
• echo
• follower
• imitator
• wannabe
• wannabee

Examples of rubber-stamp in a Sentence

Noun

The legislature has been nothing more than a rubber stamp for the President.

an author who was ultimately just another rubber stamp of Hemingway

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Jennifer Lawrence and Kylie Jenner both rubber-stamped the non-shoe this year, Lawrence in a nude mesh sock-shoe from The Row and Jenner with a semi-sheer nude latex Couregès heel. —Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 30 Dec. 2024

The gist: Feel free to rubber-stamp this new TV bill, but for the love of Pete don’t let these NFL guys invade our fall Saturdays. —Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 20 Dec. 2024

Noun

Greg Pils, the director of the Bureau of Environmental Analysis and Sustainability, said the DNR heavily considered the comments and concerns shared with them by the public, and did not simply rubber stamp the permits. —Laura Schulte, Journal Sentinel, 14 Nov. 2024

Promoting accountability can’t be done by rubber stamp. —Armstrong Williams, Baltimore Sun, 1 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1893, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

1873, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

rubber-stamp

1 of 2 verb

: to approve, endorse, or dispose of as a matter of routine or at the command of another

rubber stamp

2 of 2 noun

: a stamp with a printing face made of rubber