rubber-stamp

1 of 2

verb

rub·​ber-stamp ˈrə-bər-ˈstamp 

rubber-stamped; rubber-stamping; rubber-stamps

transitive verb

1

: to approve, endorse, or dispose of as a matter of routine or at the command of another

They expect that Congress will rubber-stamp the proposal.

2

: to mark with a rubber stamp

rubber stamp

2 of 2

noun

1

: a stamp of rubber for making imprints

2

a

: a person who echoes or imitates others

b

: a mostly powerless yet officially recognized body or person that approves or endorses programs and policies initiated usually by a single specified source

the parliament was a rubber stamp for the dictator

3

a

: a stereotyped copy or expression

… the usual rubber stamps of criticism …

—H. L. Mencken

b

: a routine endorsement or approval

Synonyms of rubber-stamp

Noun

• echo
• follower
• imitator

Examples of rubber-stamp in a Sentence

Noun

The legislature has been nothing more than a rubber stamp for the President.

an author who was ultimately just another rubber stamp of Hemingway

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The city attorney has the obligation to draft ordinances to reflect the intent of Council and also has the independent obligation to flag risk and refuse to rubber-stamp actions that are unconstitutional or violate the charter/applicable law. —Teresa Liu, Daily News, 4 May 2026

Arsenal, meanwhile, have signed players who have won trophies but, as a group, are waiting for that tangible moment that rubber-stamps their status. —Art De Roché, New York Times, 4 May 2026

Noun

That’s a rubber stamp, not a check on power. —Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026

My job is not to be a rubber stamp for any president. —Kevin Fixler may 3, Idaho Statesman, 3 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1893, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

1873, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for rubber-stamp

• firedamp
• amp
• champ
• clamp
• cramp
• damp
• gamp
• lamp
• ramp
• samp
• scamp
• stamp

Kids Definition

rubber-stamp

1 of 2 verb

: to approve, endorse, or dispose of as a matter of routine or at the command of another

rubber stamp

2 of 2 noun

: a stamp with a printing face made of rubber