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

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

Noun

• aper
• copycat
• copyist
• echo
• follower
• imitator
• wannabe
• wannabee

Example Sentences

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

Noun

The web passes between the two rollers at the center of the image, where the photopolymer coating is molded by a rubber stamp-like device and then quickly cured by a high-intensity UV light. —Discover Magazine, 29 June 2010

But The Post found that the review process effectively amounts to a rubber stamp. —Nate Jones, Washington Post, 5 Dec. 2022

For example, imagine a circular rubber stamp with various cartoon characters printed on it. —Kelsey Houston-edwards, Scientific American, 21 Sep. 2022

Each of those judges has already been appointed and confirmed — the public vote is one final rubber stamp. —Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Oct. 2022

Masters has tried to penetrate Kelly's independent image, calling him a rubber stamp for President Joe Biden who has failed to secure the U.S.-Mexico border and allowed inflation to run rampant. —Jonathan J. Cooper, ajc, 6 Oct. 2022

But all those images came from the same location on the original rubber stamp. —Kelsey Houston-edwards, Scientific American, 21 Sep. 2022

King Charles' already undisputed claim to the throne got the royal rubber stamp when what’s known as the Accession Council proclaimed the eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II the new monarch on Saturday. —Elizabeth Kuhr, NBC News, 10 Sep. 2022

The constitutional court, which is seen as a rubber stamp for the Kremlin, would then approve the agreements, and they would be ratified by both chambers of Russia's parliament. —Arkansas Online, 30 Sep. 2022

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Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1893, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

1873, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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