1
as in to lick
to strike repeatedly
a crowd was drubbing the purse snatcher when the police arrived on the scene
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in to trounce
to defeat by a large margin
we drubbed our traditional football rivals so badly that it was basically no contest
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 drub
Fox News also continues drubbing CNN in the ratings.
—
Erik Wemple, Washington Post, 7 June 2023
One of the primary reasons the Celtics were drubbed Monday at Madison Square Garden was the season-worst 3-point shooting performance.
—Gary Washburn, BostonGlobe.com, 28 Feb. 2023
He was drubbed by Democratic Sen. Alex Padilla, who raised nearly $12 million.
—Joe Garofoli, San Francisco Chronicle, 26 Feb. 2023
The current Sockers are in first place, of course, and favored to drub the Dallas Sidekicks in the 7:05 p.m match at Pechanga Arena.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2023
See All Example Sentences for drub
Erik Wemple, Washington Post, 7 June 2023
One of the primary reasons the Celtics were drubbed Monday at Madison Square Garden was the season-worst 3-point shooting performance.
—Gary Washburn, BostonGlobe.com, 28 Feb. 2023
He was drubbed by Democratic Sen. Alex Padilla, who raised nearly $12 million.
—Joe Garofoli, San Francisco Chronicle, 26 Feb. 2023
The current Sockers are in first place, of course, and favored to drub the Dallas Sidekicks in the 7:05 p.m match at Pechanga Arena.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2023
See All Example Sentences for drub
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drub
Verb
-
The race is being widely viewed as a must-win for Democrats who at the national level are still licking their 2024 election wounds, as well as a potential referendum on Trump and Musk.—
Savannah Kuchar,
USA Today,
26 Mar. 2025
-
Cora appears to enjoy the routine and happily lets the cat lick at the tufts of blonde hair on her head.—
Kelli Bender,
People.com,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Argyle trounced Fort Worth Chisholm Trail 8-0. Lauren Ellis punched in a loose ball in front of the net in the 2nd minute to give the Owls a 1-0 lead and that held up for the entire first half.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
22 Mar. 2025
-
Major Intermediate Buy Signal Still Intact The AAII Bull-Bear Spread residing at minus 40.1 continues to reflect a percentage of pessimists trouncing the optimists by a factor of 3, with recent readings some of the most Bearish in history, given that Main Street is usually Bullish.—
John Buckingham,
Forbes,
17 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Her decision to turn down the Apple beat at the Journal in 2007, the year the iPhone was released, in order to pursue an M.F.A. in fiction propels an exploration of how much human creativity depends on the ideas and labor of others.—
Matteo Wong,
The Atlantic,
10 Apr. 2025
-
Her defense has raised the possibility that someone else beat him to death and left him in the cold.—
Michael Ruiz,
FOXNews.com,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Republicans will need Democratic support to overcome a 60-vote threshold to be able to pass the bill in the Senate.—
John Parkinson,
ABC News,
10 Apr. 2025
-
Prior court decisions and guidance from the Department of Justice have set up hurdles to overcome before the court is forced to overpass a reporter’s privilege to protect sources.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Better to lash out first, or at least build up a protective armor.—
Nina Metz,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Apr. 2025
-
All the while, sawn-off shotguns; love locks inscribed with names lashed to bridges, their keys slung into the river; and other reminders of modern life are topping up the Thames.—
Sean Kingsley,
Smithsonian Magazine,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Take it from us and whip out this gem for special occasions versus everyday wear, as Gucci recommends shielding it from direct light, heat, and rain.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
10 Apr. 2025
-
In the early hours of April 21, 1775, gale-force winds whipped across the town square, driving the shivering sentries from their posts to the shelter of their beds.—
Andrew Lawler,
Smithsonian Magazine,
2 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
All that — that’s what came turning around the corner late Sunday afternoon, striding through a tunnel of fans off Augusta’s 18th green, walking without a shadow despite a shallow sun; arms extended, eyes welling, chest pounding.—
Brendan Quinn,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
-
Deadly flooding in the South and Midwest The mother of a 9-year-old boy is speaking out after he was swept away and killed by floodwaters in Kentucky during the four days of historic storms that pounded the region.—
Chris Looft,
ABC News,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Vonn took the super-combined and downhill titles the previous two days. 2014 — The Clippers rout the rival Lakers 142-94.—
Houston Mitchell,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2025
-
But the Eagles put on a show to rout the defending champs 40-22.—
Paulina Dedaj,
Fox News,
11 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Drub.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drub. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share