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.
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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
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Deputy District Attorney David Jarman, who is prosecuting the case, said the facts support a second-degree murder charge.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Mar. 2025
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The Kardashian family patriarch always stood by Simpson's side, going on to act as his defense attorney in the infamous murder trial, at the end of which Simpson was acquitted on all counts.—
Liza Esquibias,
People.com,
14 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Tornadoes pose a severe risk to life and property, with their powerful winds capable of destroying homes, overturning vehicles, and uprooting trees.—
Mark Davis,
Newsweek,
16 Mar. 2025
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Taking on the role of a teenage boy named Chrono, players have to travel through time and assemble a team to stop a horrifying creature named Lavos from destroying the world.—
Hayes Madsen,
Rolling Stone,
16 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Read More Trump supporter accused of plotting to assassinate Trump at CA rally.—
Real-Time News team,
Miami Herald,
14 Mar. 2025
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While speaking to news outlets, Bianco wrongly accused Miller of plotting to assassinate Trump, defaming him as a result, the complaint says.—
Julia Marnin,
Sacramento Bee,
13 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Measles is a disease that has been considered largely eradicated in the United states for more than 20 years, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
14 Mar. 2025
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Measles was declared eradicated in the U.S. in 2000 but has resurfaced as vaccination rates have fallen.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA TODAY,
13 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Investigators initially charged Kyle Hill, 33, with DUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide before upgrading the charges to first degree murder and attempted first degree murder, St. Petersburg police announced on Wednesday.—
Samira Asma-Sadeque,
People.com,
14 Mar. 2025
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At a time when homicides and shootings are dropping dramatically in Baltimore, new data shows the city still averages at least one carjacking a day.—
Rebecca Pryor,
Baltimore Sun,
14 Mar. 2025
Verb
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However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacramento Bee,
23 Mar. 2025
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Institutions of higher learning, schools, churches, museums ruined.—
Askold Haywas,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
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That film’s prescient plot caught a lot of folks’ attention in December, when real-life United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson was slain on a New York City sidewalk, allegedly by 26-year-old Jigsaw wannabe Luigi Mangione.—
Benjamin Svetkey and Julian Sancton,
The Hollywood Reporter,
19 Mar. 2025
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The number of people slain so far in 2025: 74. Chicago homicides, by year Data for 2025 is updated through March 12, 2025.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Time travel stories often feature grim themes of destruction and butterfly effect scenarios where even a single change can lead to disastrous outcomes (like Marty almost erasing himself from existence in Back to the Future).—
Hayes Madsen,
Rolling Stone,
16 Mar. 2025
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That’s the short list of what this state’s brilliant educational minds, who are clearly raising absolutely no teenage boys, expect to erase.—
Pat Beall,
Orlando Sentinel,
16 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rubout.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rubout. Accessed 30 Mar. 2025.
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