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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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.
—
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
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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Both have walked away from battles licking their wounds.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
5 Apr. 2026
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Five caribou stood licking at the stain.—
Frank Glaser,
Outdoor Life,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Timberwolves overcame a 15-point halftime deficit — the largest comeback in a Game 7 in NBA playoff history — behind Edwards, who had just four points, no rebounds and three assists at halftime but finished with 16 points, eight boards and seven assists.—
Anthony Bettin,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
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Even after struggling out of the gate with a 4-14 start, which was partially due to having to overcome Brandon Miller’s shoulder injury in the second game of the season, Charlotte stockpiled a 44-38 mark.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The third ended with the Hornets’ Coby White beating the buzzer for an 89-83 Charlotte lead entering the fourth.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
15 Apr. 2026
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Xander Bogaerts had three hits and three RBIs, and Mason Miller pitched a perfect ninth inning for the San Diego Padres, who beat the Seattle Mariners 4-1 on Tuesday night for their sixth straight win and ninth in 10 games.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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State’s attorneys allege the pair engaged in a long-term pattern of mental and physical abuse of young Markell, including whipping him with a belt.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Apr. 2026
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In the Palm Springs North community on Tuesday, the tornado whipped across a lake and a couple of residential blocks, according to weather service meteorologist Ana Torres-Vazquez.—
Sofia Saric,
Miami Herald,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The brand’s hero reusable Plushy lashes retail for $25 a pair, while the brand’s Control Kits, which include application tools, retail for about $125.—
Noor Lobad,
Footwear News,
13 Apr. 2026
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Trump had lashed out at the pontiff in a Truth Social post on Sunday night and repeated those criticisms Monday.—
Justine McDaniel,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Jesuit scored 13 runs on seven hits in a 37-minute bottom of the first and went on to rout Richardson 20-0 in five innings as James Jorgensen pitched a no-hitter and struck out 12.—
Greg Riddle,
Dallas Morning News,
7 Apr. 2026
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Dalton Rushing hit two solo home runs for his first career multihomer game and the Los Angeles Dodgers went deep five times to rout the Toronto Blue Jays 14-2 on Monday in a rematch of the 2025 World Series.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The day the truce was announced, Israel pounded Beirut with airstrikes, killing more than 300 people, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2026
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Eyes wide and heart pounding, Jason watched as the clock ticked away, as the Kansas City Chiefs racked up points against his Baltimore Ravens, and as the odds, and score, tipped insurmountably in their favor.—
Max Klaver,
Miami Herald,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Bishop acquired the property, intending to preserve the inactive cemetery as a memorial site for the military veterans buried there, some dating back to the Civil War.—
Nicole Comstock,
CBS News,
12 Apr. 2026
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Three other Syrian relatives were also killed in the Ain Mreisseh strike and were buried on Saturday in the town of al-Shuhail in Deir el-Zour, after the family split upon returning to Syria.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Drub.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drub. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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