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
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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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At just 23 years old, Wakefield traveled to Mississippi to cover the murder trial of Emmett Till, the 14-year-old boy whose brutal 1955 murder helped catalyze the Civil Rights Movement.John Tuohy, The Indianapolis Star, 31 Dec. 2024
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Queens murder victim identified as woman missing for 33 years Queens murder victim identified as woman missing for 33 years 00:31 A woman has been identified more than three decades after her body was found in New York City, officials said on Monday.Kerry Breen, CBS News, 31 Dec. 2024
Verb
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To its credit, Doc is more adept at crafting moral dilemmas that force its characters to reckon with the cost of saving one child at the expense of another’s health, or a patient’s right to know a secret that could destroy his family.Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Jan. 2025
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In 2023, nearly 40 were introduced to the council — from calling on the state legislature to let Louisville destroy confiscated firearms to requesting the city's Planning Commission review the Land Development Code.Eleanor McCrary, The Courier-Journal, 1 Jan. 2025
Verb
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In addition to engaging in regular border clashes with Israel, the group has supported Bashar al-Assad in his decimation of Syrian rebels and has been accused of assassinating Lebanese political figures who oppose Syrian or Iranian influence in the country.Youmna Melhem Chamieh, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025
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The tradition continued with the 1901 death and funeral of Former President William McKinley, who was assassinated while in office.William Gavin, Quartz, 30 Dec. 2024
Verb
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An elderly farmer woman receives an eye exam for trachoma in Vietnam — which along with India and Pakistan — eradicated the disease, which causes blindness, in 2024.Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 30 Dec. 2024
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Accolades of the organization include observing 113 elections in 39 countries and helping reduce the cases of Guinea worm disease by 99.99%, essentially eradicating it, according to the Carter Center.Jordan Mendoza, USA TODAY, 29 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Metro leaders reiterated promises in September to improve safety after a second bus hijacking in six months and a fifth homicide of the year intensified concerns among riders and city officials.Colleen Shalby, Los Angeles Times, 1 Jan. 2025
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Criminal homicides do not include police action shootings, accidental shootings or killings ruled self-defense − which, if included, would bring the total homicide count to more than 200 deaths.Sarah Nelson, The Indianapolis Star, 31 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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The dragons of the Cold War were slain, and new serpents followed.Dan McLaughlin, National Review, 30 Dec. 2024
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Dorthy Moxley, who fought for decades for justice for her daughter, slain in 1975, in the gated Belle Haven neighborhood of Greenwich, has died, according to sources and multiple media outlets.Staff report, Hartford Courant, 26 Dec. 2024
Verb
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On January 1, the Spanish top flight then erased the players from Barca's squad on its official website.Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025
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Be sure to erase any personal data before recycling electronics.Kamron Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near rubout
Cite this Entry
“Rubout.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rubout. Accessed 9 Jan. 2025.
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