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

Yet, under current leadership, our role is largely reduced to convening twice a year to rubber-stamp an existing top-down agenda. — Caitlin Ogden, New York Daily News, 23 Sep. 2026

But Ford spokesman Dave Tovar told the Detroit Free Press at the time that the local unions do not like the fact that Ford is not rubber-stamping grievances and allowing those who violated the rules an automatic second chance. — Jamie L. Lareau, Freep.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Noun

Chapek’s apparent rubber stamp by the Disney board, followed by his rocky tenure, was used as ammunition by activist investor Nelson Peltz in a bruising proxy fight with the Mouse House. — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 23 Sep. 2026

To further complicate matters, the FISA court system, meant to serve as a check on executive power, served more as a rubber stamp. — Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 21 Aug. 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