1
as in to overcome
to defeat by a large margin
as expected, the professional team had no trouble routing the amateurs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in to out
to drive or force out
the nation's ground and air forces quickly routed the would-be invaders
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in defeat
failure to win a contest
the championship game was a humiliating rout for the team that had been favored to win
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in escape
the act or an instance of getting free from danger or confinement
in the mad rout from the school shooter, it was every person for himself
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in throng
a great number of persons or creatures massed together
a great rout of rubberneckers had gathered around the scene of the accident
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in populace
people looked down upon as ignorant and of the lowest class
at first the protests were dismissed as nothing more than the idle doings of the restless rout
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rout
Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 23 Nov. 2025
This was during the saggy middle of the war, when then-President Barack Obama was looking to bolster US forces in Afghanistan and decisively rout the Taliban once and for all.
—Sofie Buckminster, semafor.com, 16 Nov. 2025
Ronald Blum, Twin Cities, 21 Jan. 2026
Also key to the stock market rout was the move to record highs in Japan’s 40-year government bond yield, a development that helped trigger a global selloff in bond markets.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rout
Verb
McClymonds routs Oakland Tech in Silver Bowl, dedicates championship to former Skyline and Laney football coach John Beam, who was shot and killed last week.
—Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 23 Nov. 2025
This was during the saggy middle of the war, when then-President Barack Obama was looking to bolster US forces in Afghanistan and decisively rout the Taliban once and for all.
—Sofie Buckminster, semafor.com, 16 Nov. 2025
Noun
Going deep against Pettitte in the second inning and Brian Boehringer in the third of a 12-1 rout, Jones became the second player to homer in his first two Series at-bats after Gene Tenace in 1972.
—Ronald Blum, Twin Cities, 21 Jan. 2026
Also key to the stock market rout was the move to record highs in Japan’s 40-year government bond yield, a development that helped trigger a global selloff in bond markets.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rout
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rout
Verb
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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
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Not exactly the best of images to portray in the Hornets’ first outing on ESPN since April 25 — and first home ESPN matchup with fans in the stands since the 2018-19 season finale against Orlando.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Conversations are flowing fast, making your out-of-the-box ideas land effortlessly.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
When a dog repeatedly wags and whips its tail against hard surfaces, the tip can split open, bruise or break.—
Miriam Fauzia,
Dallas Morning News,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Benbrook whips Diamond Hill-Jarvis Benbrook stayed on pace for a playoff berth in District 8-4A as the Lady Bobcats thumped Fort Worth Diamond Hill-Jarvis 55-7.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Sierra Canyon also adjusted at halftime and were quicker to the perimeter, chasing the Celts off the 3-point line.—
Justin Vigil Zuniga,
Daily News,
25 Jan. 2026
-
Rhodes chased him down the ramp and continued the brawl.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Given one final chance to tie, Mazzulla sent Gonzalez back in as a late sub, and the 19-year-old buried one from the left corner to force a second OT.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
24 Jan. 2026
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Tourists are urged to lock up their food and trash, and anglers instructed to bury any bait that may attract scavengers.—
Hilary Whiteman,
CNN Money,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
During the crash, the man who was operating the tractor was ejected and pinned underneath it.—
Jose Fabian,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
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The motorcyclist was ejected and died at the scene of the crash, CHP Officer Jasmine Lopez said.—
City News Service,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Iran attacked Al Udeid in June in response to Trump sending American warplanes to bomb Iranian nuclear enrichment sites during the war last year.—
Jon Gambrell,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Last June, after indirect nuclear negotiations collapsed, the United States joined Israel in a 12-day war with Iran, bombing three of the country’s key nuclear facilities.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Even the name Greenland taps into antiquity thanks to Erik the Red, who was banished here in 982, found a sheltered, green fjord to call home, and named the place Greenland, an embellishment to lure other Norsemen west.—
Tim Neville,
Outside,
23 Jan. 2026
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But even scarier than choosing which of your three pals to banish is the mission awaiting them in the cabin.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rout.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rout. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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