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 overcome
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
The Bears upset the Vikings in Minnesota before the San Francisco 49ers drubbed them at Candlestick Park.
—
Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 23 Jan. 2025
The win meant something to Minnesota after it was drubbed by the Knicks on national television a month prior at Target Center.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 17 Jan. 2025
The Democrats’ power structure is dominated by lawmakers from the coasts — both at the leadership and committee level — and Craig is the only one of the three candidates to represent the Heartland, where Democrats were drubbed in this year’s presidential contest.
—Mike Lillis, The Hill, 16 Dec. 2024
Denver dominated on the ground, dominated on defense and dominated in Payton’s return to New Orleans, drubbing the Saints 33-10 in primetime.
—Parker Gabriel, The Denver Post, 17 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for drub
Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 23 Jan. 2025
The win meant something to Minnesota after it was drubbed by the Knicks on national television a month prior at Target Center.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 17 Jan. 2025
The Democrats’ power structure is dominated by lawmakers from the coasts — both at the leadership and committee level — and Craig is the only one of the three candidates to represent the Heartland, where Democrats were drubbed in this year’s presidential contest.
—Mike Lillis, The Hill, 16 Dec. 2024
Denver dominated on the ground, dominated on defense and dominated in Payton’s return to New Orleans, drubbing the Saints 33-10 in primetime.
—Parker Gabriel, The Denver Post, 17 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for drub
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drub
Verb
-
Mitch West, meanwhile, was licking his wounds on Monday night, when snow still hadn’t touched down in his region of South Carolina.—
Brady Brickner-Wood,
New Yorker,
28 Jan. 2026
-
England’s Test team are still licking their wounds after their humbling Down Under.—
Sam Dalling,
New York Times,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The Global Compassion Coalition says that the first step to overcoming helplessness is to practice acceptance instead of resistance, which is a hard pill to take at the moment.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
28 Jan. 2026
-
One night after the Warriors snapped Minnesota's 103-game streak of scoring at least 100 points — the third-longest in NBA history — the Timberwolves overcame a cold start from the floor and 23 turnovers.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Sure, some out there were robbing old people, choking people, robbing them, beating them up, taking their money, but Troy just wasn’t like that.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Jalen Brunson scored 28 points and the New York Knicks dominated the fourth quarter to beat the Sacramento Kings 103-87 on Tuesday night for their third straight victory.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Even then, though, leadership didn’t whip against the bill, which ultimately passed with seven Democrats voting in favor.—
Jon Allsop,
New Yorker,
30 Jan. 2026
-
In an age when polarized politics have whipped extremists into a frenzy and disagreeing with someone’s views justifies physical assault among fringe elements, the assault on Omar is a new abysmal milestone of societal degradation.—
Boston Herald editorial staff,
Boston Herald,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The president has lashed out at current Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell over the Fed's slow-and-steady approach to interest rate cuts over the last year.—
Joe Walsh,
CBS News,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Tony Khan’s History Of Online Controversies On New Year’s Eve in 2021, Tony Khan lashed out on Twitter at former AEW star Big Swole for her complaints about AEW’s lack of diversity.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The Red Storm overcame Zuby Ejiofor and Bryce Hopkins’ early foul trouble to rout last-place Marquette, 92-68, at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Dean Smith collects his 700th career coaching victory as North Carolina routs Maryland 105-73.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Russia has been pounding Ukraine's critical infrastructure, hoping to wear down public resistance to the war while leaving many around the country having to endure the dead of winter without heat.—
AAMER MADHANI AND SUSIE BLANN THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
30 Jan. 2026
-
For now, however, the first part of the season mostly succeeds at balancing power dynamics and pulse-pounding romance, with a major assist from the warm and hot chemistry between season leads Luke Thompson and series newbie Yerin Ha.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Prior to his arrest, he was interviewed by People Magazine Investigates at the cemetery where his father is buried.—
Liam Quinn,
PEOPLE,
31 Jan. 2026
-
The Gaza Health Ministry currently reports 71,667 deaths, including more than 450 since the October 2025 ceasefire, though Israeli officials said the estimate does not include bodies believed to be buried under rubble.—
Michael Dorgan,
FOXNews.com,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Drub.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drub. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
