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
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of drub
The Broncos have a 9-4 series record in 13 all-time matchups against this NFC foe, and drubbed them 30-16 in their last meeting when outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper recorded his first two NFL sacks against Dallas QB Dak Prescott.
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Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
24 Oct. 2025
The Bears upset the Vikings in Minnesota before the San Francisco 49ers drubbed them at Candlestick Park.
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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.
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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
See All Example Sentences for drub
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
24 Oct. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for drub
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drub
Verb
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Bring along a friend who wouldn’t be able to indulge in these kinds of finger-licking treats otherwise.
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The image of the students as vivisectors, committed to extracting the hearts and licking the bones of the transgressors in their midst, seems to mirror her own hatred of the university’s tendency toward frenzied analysis.
Verb
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Rather than be benched, Devers batted cleanup, overcame an 0-for-3 start, and singled up the middle in the seventh to score Bryce Eldridge, who narrowly beat a tag at the plate for a 3-1 lead.
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Its highly specialized strategy likely evolved to take advantage of the ant’s natural aggression and then overcome its defenses; the slingshot mechanism flings the ant from the foraging trail, reducing the risk that the spider will be swarmed by other workers, the researchers hypothesized.
Verb
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Bryson Stott's three-run homer highlighted Philadelphia's eight-run outburst in the ninth inning and the Phillies rallied to beat the Washington Nationals 14-9 on Tuesday night.
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Rather than be benched, Devers batted cleanup, overcame an 0-for-3 start, and singled up the middle in the seventh to score Bryce Eldridge, who narrowly beat a tag at the plate for a 3-1 lead.
Verb
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The menu features Mediterranean delicacies, starting with mezze like hummus, muhammara (a walnut and red pepper dip) and whipped feta spreads.
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Ospreay struck Strickland, who responded by whipping a chain at him.
Verb
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Criminal Minds star Paget Brewster is apologizing after lashing out at a critic.
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Photos of Hammett in the garment eventually caught the attention of Swifties, who lashed out at the guitarist on Reddit and social media.
Verb
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The Dutch monarchs, who were joined by their daughter Princess Ariane, began the day by watching Holland rout Sweden 5-1 in a Group F match.
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Germany did rout newcomer Curacao 7-1, Qatar was trounced 6-0 by Canada, and Haiti was eliminated after two matches.
Verb
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The war killed more than 3,300 Iranians, according to state media, including top leaders, and pounded the country's infrastructure and armed forces.
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One of the deputies shone his light through the window and pounded on the door again.
Verb
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Minnesota Department of Transportation A pile of hailstones buried a lawn chair in Maple Grove, Minnesota.
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There is a second worry buried in the FSB report, quieter but arguably sharper.
Cite this Entry
“Drub.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drub. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
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