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
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of rubout
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
The resort can arrange a local masseuse to rub out all that daring inside the comfort of your cabin.
—Rina Nehdar, Travel + Leisure, 4 Mar. 2022
The man, Eric Charles Maund, whose family runs Volkswagen and Toyota dealerships in and around Austin, is alleged to have hired the trio to rub out Holly Williams, 33, and William Lanway, 36, in March 2020, police and prosecutors said.
—NBC News, 13 Dec. 2021
See all Example Sentences for rubout 
Verb
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
The resort can arrange a local masseuse to rub out all that daring inside the comfort of your cabin.
—Rina Nehdar, Travel + Leisure, 4 Mar. 2022
The man, Eric Charles Maund, whose family runs Volkswagen and Toyota dealerships in and around Austin, is alleged to have hired the trio to rub out Holly Williams, 33, and William Lanway, 36, in March 2020, police and prosecutors said.
—NBC News, 13 Dec. 2021
See all Example Sentences for rubout
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rubout
Noun
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An arrest warrant was issued earlier this month for 32-year-old Bryant Jay Beecher of Denver, but the man hasn’t been arrested, according to a news release from the Aurora Police Department. Beecher is wanted on charges of first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder, police said.Lauren Penington, The Denver Post, 27 Dec. 2024
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Three people were found dead inside a Baldwin Park home, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department officials said, and a 23-year-old man who lived at the home was arrested on suspicion of murder.Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 27 Dec. 2024
Verb
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He is then seen waving the baton, destroying property and throwing items at police, according to his criminal complaint.Sarah Nelson, The Indianapolis Star, 16 Dec. 2024
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Al Shahabi also asked on Facebook where the recordings of surveillance cameras at regime security branches had gone, why some documents had been destroyed and why human rights groups had not done more to protect records.Raja Razek, CNN, 16 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Since Haiti’s last president, Jovenel Moise, was assassinated by mercenaries in his home more than three years ago, the country has been gripped by gang violence that has left more than 12,000 people dead and another 800,000 displaced.Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 15 Dec. 2024
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In a truly unprecedented move, the IAF successfully assassinated Israel’s long-time enemy, veteran Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, on September 27, 2024, in an enormous airstrike on Beirut.Paul Iddon, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Individual errors cannot be eradicated entirely, but must be reduced.Matt Woosnam, The Athletic, 27 Dec. 2024
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Smallpox was eradicated worldwide in 1980, but stocks of the virus still exist in U.S. and Russian biocontainment facilities.Arthur L. Kellermann, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
Noun
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But homicides were up, with nine killings through November versus five during the same time frame last year.Cedar Attanasio, Los Angeles Times, 27 Dec. 2024
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The report found that no homicides had occurred at the prison between 2019 and 2023 and that security and staffing adjustments made earlier this year had helped to reduce violence.Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 26 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Although the name suggests otherwise, the custard should never be allowed to actually boil, which would risk scrambling the eggs and ruining the custard.Elizabeth Hutchison Hicklin, Southern Living, 22 Dec. 2024
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Ventilation along the roofline ensures airflow to prevent the dampness that can ruin belongings.Miles Walls, People.com, 21 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Mangione pleads not guilty to CEO slaying charges The man accused of shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson to death on a Manhattan street pleaded not guilty Monday to state murder and terrorism charges, just days after a dramatic return to the city to face federal counts in the case.Laura L. Davis, USA TODAY, 23 Dec. 2024
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Several hundred people gathered outside the Wisconsin State Capitol for a vigil Tuesday night to honor those slain, with some passing candles to each other and standing close against the winter chill.TODD RICHMOND, arkansasonline.com, 19 Dec. 2024
Verb
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One dud doesn’t erase the good performances Young has put on tape over the past month.Joseph Person, The Athletic, 16 Dec. 2024
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In August, the Taliban published vice laws that ban women’s voices and bare faces in public in an effort to completely erase Afghan women and girls from public life.Brian Cheng, NBC News, 12 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near rubout
Cite this Entry
“Rubout.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rubout. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.
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