as in defeat
failure to win a contest
took a terrible drubbing in last night's basketball game
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in pounding
to strike repeatedly
a crowd was drubbing the purse snatcher when the police arrived on the scene
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in whipping
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 drubbing
Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 14 Feb. 2026
For another, this drubbing, unlike many previous ones, was triggered not by fears of a bubble but rather concern that AI is on the verge of supplanting the business models of a wide swathe of companies that doomsayers have long predicted were at risk.
—Brody Ford, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026
The team was soundly defeated by the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round, including a 40-point drubbing in the decisive Game 6.
—Sam Vecenie, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
But Darnold struggled in the Vikings’ final two games, including a 27-9 drubbing by the Rams in his playoff debut.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 1 Feb. 2026
Joshua takes advantage of cold-shooting Cleburne Joshua took a leg up in staying in the running for the final playoff spot in District 8-5A with a 42-19 drubbing of Cleburne on Friday night at Cleburne High School.
—Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Jan. 2026
The Penguins scored four times in the second period, quickly turning a tie game into a drubbing.
—Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026
Bronny James provided some of the few Lakers highlights in the team’s worst loss of the season — a 129-99 drubbing by the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday — to turn an emotional homecoming for his father into a happy return for the 21-year-old.
—Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2026
And because only days before the February 2021 surgery Mahomes had scrambled a stupefying 497 yards behind the line of scrimmage before throwing the ball or being sacked in a 31-9 drubbing by Tampa Bay in Super Bowl LV.
—Kansas City Star, 22 Jan. 2026
Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 25 Sep. 2025
Noun
Kaapo Kakko, Mikael Granlund, Sebastian Aho and Joel Kiviranta all found the back of the net twice during the team's drubbing of the host country.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 14 Feb. 2026
For another, this drubbing, unlike many previous ones, was triggered not by fears of a bubble but rather concern that AI is on the verge of supplanting the business models of a wide swathe of companies that doomsayers have long predicted were at risk.
—Brody Ford, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026
The team was soundly defeated by the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round, including a 40-point drubbing in the decisive Game 6.
—Sam Vecenie, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
But Darnold struggled in the Vikings’ final two games, including a 27-9 drubbing by the Rams in his playoff debut.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 1 Feb. 2026
Joshua takes advantage of cold-shooting Cleburne Joshua took a leg up in staying in the running for the final playoff spot in District 8-5A with a 42-19 drubbing of Cleburne on Friday night at Cleburne High School.
—Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Jan. 2026
The Penguins scored four times in the second period, quickly turning a tie game into a drubbing.
—Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026
Bronny James provided some of the few Lakers highlights in the team’s worst loss of the season — a 129-99 drubbing by the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday — to turn an emotional homecoming for his father into a happy return for the 21-year-old.
—Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2026
And because only days before the February 2021 surgery Mahomes had scrambled a stupefying 497 yards behind the line of scrimmage before throwing the ball or being sacked in a 31-9 drubbing by Tampa Bay in Super Bowl LV.
—Kansas City Star, 22 Jan. 2026
Verb
The mighty Mariners, who mashed five solo home runs at raucous T-Mobile Park, clinched their title by drubbing Major League Baseball’s doormat, aka the Colorado Rockies, 9-2.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 25 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drubbing
Noun
-
Aston Villa 2-1 Leeds Brentford vs Brighton Brighton are playing better than a horrible run of results — one win, six draws, and six defeats in their last 13 Premier League games — suggests.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The blowout loss would mark not only the biggest margin of defeat for the Trojans in two seasons under Musselman but also the first time USC (18-8 overall, 7-8 in the Big Ten) has given up more than 100 points in a game since 2019.—
Ryan Kartje,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
On the northern end of California’s Central Coast, the region’s rolling hills and sunny beaches give way to misty bays and cypress groves, pounding turquoise surf and steep, plunging cliffs.—
Cu Fleshman,
Travel + Leisure,
17 Feb. 2026
-
The cast of the heart-pounding story also features Stephen Tobolowsky, Frances Bay, and Peter Friedman.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
By whipping or rapidly spinning fresh citrus juice, bartenders introduce air into the liquid, creating a thicker texture without adding additional ingredients.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Scheffler began the final day eight shots behind and was 7 under through seven holes before the wind began whipping.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Those market jitters saw over $1 trillion wiped from the market caps of big tech firms, though some stocks have since recovered some of their losses.—
Sawdah Bhaimiya,
CNBC,
16 Feb. 2026
-
That was Wembanyama, who had 14 points, six rebounds and three blocks in the World’s first loss and 19 points – including a pair of clutch 3-pointers – in its second.—
Mirjam Swanson,
Oc Register,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Spit Heathcliff spends a lot of time straight-up licking Cathy’s face in this movie.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Even in the trailer, scenes of slapping dough, Robbie and Elordi kissing in the rain and Elordi licking a wall were telltale signs that this would be a heightened version of the actual romance depicted in the book.—
Ellise Shafer,
Variety,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
For Lucy, that meant realizing that her dad had lied about his true intentions and his role in bombing Shady Sands.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
4 Feb. 2026
-
This is a program where UCLA assistant coach Rod Palmer once had teams competing against the best when alumnus Arron Affalo was bombing in threes and delivering dunks before going on to UCLA and the NBA.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Minnesota outscored Wisconsin 28-13 in a difference-making second quarter to lead 40-31 at the break after Grace Grocholski’s buzzer-beating three.—
Staff Report,
Twin Cities,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Colmenarez told the Herald that he was contacted that fall by the FBI, which wanted to talk with him about Quero Silva and the beatings at the national guard headquarters in Barquisimeto.—
Jay Weaver,
Miami Herald,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
After being outplayed by the home side for nearly all of the first half, Leeds took only four minutes of the second period to take the lead, Lukas Nmecha lashing home brilliantly from the edge of the penalty area.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
15 Feb. 2026
-
The carnivorous mammal's teeth-baring image suggests a wilderness pushed to the margins and lashing out.—
Felicia Feaster,
AJC.com,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Drubbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drubbing. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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