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
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2
as in to overcome
to defeat by a large margin
we drubbed our traditional football rivals so badly that it was basically no contest
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of drub
The Broncos have a 9-4 series record in 13 all-time matchups against this NFC foe, and drubbed them 30-16 in their last meeting when outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper recorded his first two NFL sacks against Dallas QB Dak Prescott.
—
Luca Evans, Denver Post, 24 Oct. 2025
The Bears upset the Vikings in Minnesota before the San Francisco 49ers drubbed them at Candlestick Park.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 23 Jan. 2025
The win meant something to Minnesota after it was drubbed by the Knicks on national television a month prior at Target Center.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 17 Jan. 2025
The Democrats’ power structure is dominated by lawmakers from the coasts — both at the leadership and committee level — and Craig is the only one of the three candidates to represent the Heartland, where Democrats were drubbed in this year’s presidential contest.
—Mike Lillis, The Hill, 16 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for drub
Luca Evans, Denver Post, 24 Oct. 2025
The Bears upset the Vikings in Minnesota before the San Francisco 49ers drubbed them at Candlestick Park.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 23 Jan. 2025
The win meant something to Minnesota after it was drubbed by the Knicks on national television a month prior at Target Center.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 17 Jan. 2025
The Democrats’ power structure is dominated by lawmakers from the coasts — both at the leadership and committee level — and Craig is the only one of the three candidates to represent the Heartland, where Democrats were drubbed in this year’s presidential contest.
—Mike Lillis, The Hill, 16 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for drub
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drub
Verb
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Chalk it up to a bad match, and lick your wounds.—
Harriette Cole,
Mercury News,
11 June 2026
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Affected animals transfer rabies by biting, licking or scratching other animals and humans.—
Laura Horne,
Charlotte Observer,
11 June 2026
Verb
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The pair became friends, and Hasley went on to help write a book about Jenner’s philosophy on overcoming adversity in sports and life.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
10 June 2026
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Macron and Merz had tried for months to salvage the project and overcome differences between Airbus and Dassault.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
9 June 2026
Verb
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The score was still 3-1 after 20 minutes, but Vegas defenseman Brayden McNabb beat Bussi with a shot from the circles that crossed the goal line a fraction of a second after the clock hit zero.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
10 June 2026
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The Carolina Hurricanes have evened up the Stanley Cup Final once more thanks to Jordan Staal’s two-goal night in Las Vegas to beat the Golden Knights in Game 4, 5-3.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
10 June 2026
Verb
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But listening to Magazine—their new 10-track, 11-minute album—that artful density becomes singular, swaying as much as whipping between its frantic ideas.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
12 June 2026
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At one point, about a dozen people, most wearing Knicks jerseys, jumped on top of a cab stuck in traffic and stomped on and busted the front windshield, while several revelers took turns using belts to whip the hood of the taxi, according to bystander video.—
Aaron Katersky,
ABC News,
11 June 2026
Verb
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Trump lashed out at Ossoff in his Truth Social post on June 14.—
Jay Stahl,
USA Today,
15 June 2026
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Hurricane Fiona pummeled Puerto Rico in September 2022 as a Category 1 storm, lashing once more a power grid that hadn’t been rebuilt from Hurricane Maria.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 June 2026
Verb
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Often the highest lines will be for matches that are expected to be routs.—
Dan Santaromita,
New York Times,
11 June 2026
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Angels rout the Astros Wade Meckler and Jo Adell keyed a five-run second inning with two-run doubles, and Walbert Ureña navigated heavy traffic through five shutout innings to lead the Angels to a 10-1 victory over the Houston Astros on Tuesday night.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
10 June 2026
Verb
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They might be jolted awake with a pounding heart, multiple times a night, for years.—
Joanna Fong-Isariyawongse,
The Conversation,
11 June 2026
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When the worker said yes, there followed a cacophony of voices, radios, and pounding boots as police stormed the property.—
Heidi Blake,
New Yorker,
8 June 2026
Verb
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Islamic law requires the deceased to be buried as soon as possible, and ideally within 24 hours of death, but exceptions are allowed, for example in time of war.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
13 June 2026
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He’ll be buried there at the Imam Reza Shrine, considered the holiest place among Shiite devotees.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Drub.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drub. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
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