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Sportswriters often use the word drub when a team they are covering is drubbed—that is, routed—but the term’s history reveals that it wasn’t always a sporting word. When drub was first used in English, it referred to a method of punishment that involved beating the soles of the accused’s feet with a stick or cudgel. The term was apparently brought to England in the 17th century by travelers who reported observing the punitive practice abroad. The ultimate origin of drub is uncertain, but the etymological culprit may be the Arabic word ḍaraba, meaning “to beat.” Over the centuries, drub developed the additional milder, and now more common, meanings of “to berate critically” and “to defeat decisively.”
Examples of drub in a Sentence
Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Nov. 2025
In the two games since, the Dolphins have not only built their first winning streak of 2025 but also drubbed the Buffalo Bills, their first victory over their AFC East rival since 2022.
—Miami Herald, 20 Nov. 2025
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
Biggest disappointment — Baltimore Ravens One of the teams with the best odds to contend for the Super Bowl, Baltimore has instead gotten off to a dismal start after blowing fourth-quarter leads and losing to both Buffalo and the Detroit Lions and after getting drubbed by Kansas City.
—Mike Jones, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Drub.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/drub. Accessed 25 Nov. 2025.
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drub
verb
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