1
as in to lick
to strike repeatedly
a crowd was drubbing the purse snatcher when the police arrived on the scene
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in to trounce
to defeat by a large margin
we drubbed our traditional football rivals so badly that it was basically no contest
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of drub
Fox News also continues drubbing CNN in the ratings.
—
Erik Wemple, Washington Post, 7 June 2023
One of the primary reasons the Celtics were drubbed Monday at Madison Square Garden was the season-worst 3-point shooting performance.
—Gary Washburn, BostonGlobe.com, 28 Feb. 2023
He was drubbed by Democratic Sen. Alex Padilla, who raised nearly $12 million.
—Joe Garofoli, San Francisco Chronicle, 26 Feb. 2023
The current Sockers are in first place, of course, and favored to drub the Dallas Sidekicks in the 7:05 p.m match at Pechanga Arena.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2023
See All Example Sentences for drub
Erik Wemple, Washington Post, 7 June 2023
One of the primary reasons the Celtics were drubbed Monday at Madison Square Garden was the season-worst 3-point shooting performance.
—Gary Washburn, BostonGlobe.com, 28 Feb. 2023
He was drubbed by Democratic Sen. Alex Padilla, who raised nearly $12 million.
—Joe Garofoli, San Francisco Chronicle, 26 Feb. 2023
The current Sockers are in first place, of course, and favored to drub the Dallas Sidekicks in the 7:05 p.m match at Pechanga Arena.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2023
See All Example Sentences for drub
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drub
Verb
-
In it, the dog licked its butt, then licked Paul’s lips.—
Simon Bland,
IndieWire,
6 Aug. 2025
-
If pets or livestock have contact with the water, clean the animal with clean water right away and keep them from licking their body, the department advises.—
Shannon Tyler,
Idaho Statesman,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Coleman had never held political office before joining Beshear's ticket and was trounced by longtime incumbent Republican state Rep. Kim King in her lone run for state office before then — a campaign for Central Kentucky's House District 55 in 2014.—
Lucas Aulbach,
The Courier-Journal,
5 Aug. 2025
-
The Chiefs were trounced by the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX, and that caused Kelce to want to run it back for one more season.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 July 2025
Verb
-
The set disappeared in a flash, against an opponent who had beaten her in straight sets in their previous meeting in Washington, D.C.—
James Hansen,
New York Times,
7 Aug. 2025
-
China Airlines will be first to offer flights between Phoenix and Taiwan, beating Starlux by just under two months.—
Michael Salerno,
AZCentral.com,
6 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The Padres are leaving no stone unturned in their quest to overcome the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League west.—
Bernie Pleskoff,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
-
Whether they’re equipped to overcome them is a legitimate question.—
Chandler Rome,
New York Times,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Usually, when one partner lashes out, the other responds in kind.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
16 Aug. 2025
-
However the first day of closing arguments – which are expected to last multiple days – was cancelled as a major rainstorm lashed the city.—
Nectar Gan,
CNN Money,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The girl was allegedly burned with hot water, beaten and whipped, according to the outlets, citing probable cause documents from local police.—
Sean Neumann,
People.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
And that’s even before his lighthouse keeper character whips out a delightfully goofy Scottish accent or a series of minimal but masterful props.—
Jared Kaufman,
Twin Cities,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Get aligned and intentional before pounding the keyboard.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
13 Aug. 2025
-
Although Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not said when troops would enter Gaza City, his country’s forces have continued to pound the area, killing dozens in recent days.—
Jeronimo Gonzalez,
semafor.com,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Coastal San Diego’s charms give the Padres a much better chance to rout the Snakes in the ballpark-profits game.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Aug. 2025
-
In Libya in late 2016, the U.S. military conducted air strikes in support of Libya’s interim government to rout ISIS from its nascent safe haven in Sirte.—
Lisa Monaco,
Foreign Affairs,
16 Oct. 2017
Cite this Entry
“Drub.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drub. Accessed 23 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share