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
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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
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
ABC News, 6 Mar. 2026
While this isn't entirely surprising, as February is historically a weak month prone to deep pullbacks, now the escalating tensions with Iran have taken center stage, preventing the broader market from finding a firm footing to recover from the recent rout.
—Nishant Pant, CNBC, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rout
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
Noun
Josh Hart added 18 points and Karl-Anthony Towns had 19 points and 17 rebounds as the Knicks kicked off a five-game trip in resounding fashion, their starters taking the fourth quarter off to enjoy the rare rout.
—ABC News, 6 Mar. 2026
While this isn't entirely surprising, as February is historically a weak month prone to deep pullbacks, now the escalating tensions with Iran have taken center stage, preventing the broader market from finding a firm footing to recover from the recent rout.
—Nishant Pant, CNBC, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rout
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rout
Verb
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The president's endorsement didn't clear the GOP crowded field to replace Greene — some observers cast that as a sign of weakness — but Fuller easily overcame other Republican contenders.—
Rebecca Morin,
USA Today,
11 Mar. 2026
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Next, despite a close first half, Kansas State couldn’t overcome BYU and star freshman AJ Dybansta, falling to the Cougars 105-91 to finish off a disappointing season.—
Emily Curiel,
Kansas City Star,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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However, Bach outed himself as the other man when promoting his own memoir, 18 and Life on Skid Row, in 2016.—
Mekishana Pierre,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Mar. 2026
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The split decision comes after religious parents and educators challenged California school policies aimed at preventing schools from outing students to their families.—
Lindsay Whitehurst,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The texture is thick and whipped, easy to glide on post-shower, and will help keep skin moisturized for hours.—
Alanna Martine Kilkeary,
Glamour,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Fresh fruit is tossed with a decadent mixture of cream cheese, Greek yogurt, and whipped topping that is ready in just 10 minutes.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But Sporting didn’t want to be chasing the ball for long stretches, and the players didn’t manage to keep possession often enough.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
8 Mar. 2026
-
How to Plan a Trip Trying to follow the original Route 66 today can feel a bit like chasing smoke.—
Zoey Goto,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Like your mother’s complacency, which was probably buried in your gene code somewhere.—
Addie Citchens,
New Yorker,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Said to be the first person buried on the hill that became Oakwood Cemetery, the city's oldest, he was killed while traveling between Bastrop and Austin.—
Michael Barnes,
Austin American Statesman,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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How do key components of matter — gas, dust, and heavy elements — flow into, get transported throughout, and ejected out of galaxies over time?—
Big Think,
Big Think,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Three people were ejected from the Nissan, Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small said at the scene.—
Joe Brandt,
CBS News,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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His words mark yet another rift between Washington and Europe and highlight the delicate balance European leaders have attempted to strike since the US and Israel began bombing Iran on Saturday.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
4 Mar. 2026
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Bill Clinton mobilized troops for NATO’s mission to bomb Yugoslavia, and around three in five Americans approved.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Woody Brown, a nonverbal author himself, highlights stories that are too often banished to the margins.—
Hamilton Cain,
Time,
3 Mar. 2026
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Faithfuls also have chances to banish traitors by voting them out of the castle during a nightly event called the roundtable.—
Tiney Ricciardi,
Denver Post,
3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rout.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rout. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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