as in murder
the intentional and unlawful taking of another person's life
the mafia boss ordered a rubout as casually as you might order a pizza
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in to destroy
to bring to a complete end the physical soundness, existence, or usefulness of
aerial bombs rubbed out the oil refinery
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to assassinate
to put to death deliberately
an elaborate setup to rub out rival mobsters
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to eradicate
to destroy all traces of
a promise to rub out the city's drug trade
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of rubout
Katherine Alex Beaven, Travel + Leisure, 27 Nov. 2023
Leach, subsequently dealt from the Seals to the Flyers in May 1974, won the Cup with the Broad Streeters in ‘75 and amassed his 19 the following spring, when they were rubbed out by the Canadiens, 4-0, in the Cup Final.
—Kevin Paul Dupont, BostonGlobe.com, 13 May 2023
The Penguins were rubbed out easily Tuesday night by the resurgent Devils, 5-1, a dispiriting loss that dipped them 1 point out of a wild-card spot behind the Panthers and Islanders.
—Kevin Paul Dupont, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Apr. 2023
But church officials warn that secularization more than anything led them to rub out the godparents, a Sicilian thing that’s been going on for 2,000 years, or at least since the church’s dicey first days, when sponsors known to bishops vouched for converts to prevent pagan infiltration.
—New York Times, 16 Oct. 2021
See All Example Sentences for rubout
Verb
Each wipe comes pre-soaked in Shout stain fighter and is designed with a textured surface that creates extra friction to rub out stains.
—Katherine Alex Beaven, Travel + Leisure, 27 Nov. 2023
Leach, subsequently dealt from the Seals to the Flyers in May 1974, won the Cup with the Broad Streeters in ‘75 and amassed his 19 the following spring, when they were rubbed out by the Canadiens, 4-0, in the Cup Final.
—Kevin Paul Dupont, BostonGlobe.com, 13 May 2023
The Penguins were rubbed out easily Tuesday night by the resurgent Devils, 5-1, a dispiriting loss that dipped them 1 point out of a wild-card spot behind the Panthers and Islanders.
—Kevin Paul Dupont, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Apr. 2023
But church officials warn that secularization more than anything led them to rub out the godparents, a Sicilian thing that’s been going on for 2,000 years, or at least since the church’s dicey first days, when sponsors known to bishops vouched for converts to prevent pagan infiltration.
—New York Times, 16 Oct. 2021
See All Example Sentences for rubout
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rubout
Noun
-
Redlands police chief describes tense standoff with nudist colony murder suspect Redlands Police Chief Rachel Tolber tells reporters in a September news briefing how double murder suspect Michael Sparks allegedly tried to shoot himself during a standoff with officers before his gun misfired.—
Michael Ruiz,
FOXNews.com,
19 June 2025
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The show’s title refers to these haunting clues — a sequence of nine puzzle pieces, each foretelling a new murder, and each fitting into a larger picture that gradually reveals the truth behind a decade-old cover-up.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
19 June 2025
Verb
-
But the conflict has only escalated, with Russia’s launching some of its most extensive strikes in a war that has claimed hundreds of thousands of casualties, and Ukraine’s carrying out the audacious Operation Spiderweb drone attack, which damaged or destroyed strategic aircraft inside Russia.—
Adam Rasmi,
Time,
20 June 2025
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To destroy the site, an attack would have to come in waves, with bombers releasing one after another down the same hole.—
Samuel Granados,
New York Times,
20 June 2025
Verb
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This is the regime that took Americans hostage and helped support groups that killed hundreds of U.S. service members throughout the Middle East and that has plotted to assassinate Trump.—
The Editors,
National Review,
18 June 2025
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In March 1775, British soldiers threatened to assassinate anyone who spoke at an annual event commemorating the anniversary of the Boston Massacre.—
Eliza McGraw,
Smithsonian Magazine,
17 June 2025
Verb
-
But advocates say eradicating the Iranian nuclear threat and weakening the regime is in America's national interests because Tehran is a significant destabilizing force in the Middle East, where the United States has key allies and partners, such as Israel and Qatar.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 June 2025
-
Although the red autumn fruits with yellow casings make a lovely Thanksgiving wreath, this woody vine is difficult to manage and eradicate.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
14 June 2025
Noun
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Three days after O'Keefe's death, Read was arrested as a suspect on several charges, including manslaughter, motor vehicle homicide and leaving the scene of a personal injury or crime, per The Boston Globe.—
Jordana Comiter,
People.com,
18 June 2025
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The investigation of Read's case led to investigations into the investigators, leading to an audit into the Canton Police Department and the firing of a state police homicide detective.—
Michael Ruiz , Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
18 June 2025
Verb
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However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.—
Daniella Segura,
Sacbee.com,
26 June 2025
-
And just like that, Donald Trump ruined something else.—
James Hibberd,
HollywoodReporter,
26 June 2025
Verb
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Smith, a 21-year-old junior from Germantown, Tennessee, was slain on the street outside a bar in Fort Worth’s West 7th entertainment district.—
Emerson Clarridge,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 June 2025
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From upscale dinners, business lunches, to fun nights with your girls at the concerts, and attending inspiring ESSENCE panels at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, these versatile outfits will easily take you from day to night, while slaying everyone in New Orleans.—
Dominique Fluker,
Essence,
25 June 2025
Verb
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But the suddenly lukewarm Rockies, who seemed primed to erase the 2024 Sox from the record books, entered Wednesday’s game against Washington with a three-game win streak and a 7-7 record in their last 14 games.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
19 June 2025
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Clark tried to erase the memories of his disappointment at Oakmont with an opening round 6-under 64 on Thursday, putting him tied for second in the early afternoon.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
19 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rubout.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rubout. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
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