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
Gia Yetikyel, Vogue, 31 Aug. 2024
Even so, the line about YB is specific enough to stay, since the suspects are accused of conspiring to rub out his killer, Cogan stated.
—John Annese, New York Daily News, 24 Mar. 2024
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
See All Example Sentences for rubout
Verb
Apply additional pressure while attempting to rub out these stains, but don't go crazy.
—Gia Yetikyel, Vogue, 31 Aug. 2024
Even so, the line about YB is specific enough to stay, since the suspects are accused of conspiring to rub out his killer, Cogan stated.
—John Annese, New York Daily News, 24 Mar. 2024
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
See All Example Sentences for rubout
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rubout
Noun
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Here’s everything to know about the murder of Chelsea Bruck, including how her Halloween costume led to her killer’s arrest.—
Kelsey Lentz,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
-
So, on the night after the murder, the town’s streets were filled with anguished cries from the Inuit—wails of loss and pain.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Just under two million Palestinians—virtually the entire population of Gaza—have been displaced since October 2023, many repeatedly, and Israeli forces have damaged or destroyed more than 90 percent of homes in the Strip.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Teddy is a conspiracy theorist who believes Michelle is an alien hellbent on destroying Earth.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Trump was close to Abe, who was assassinated after leaving office.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
25 Oct. 2025
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After he was assassinated in September at Utah Valley University, the first stop on his tour, TPUSA announced Carlson would speak at IU instead.—
Marissa Meador,
IndyStar,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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To protect its biodiversity, New Zealand has embarked on an experiment that aims to eradicate all invasive species by the year 2050.—
NPR,
NPR,
26 Oct. 2025
-
While centuries of English governance strived to eradicate the language, many in Wales fought to preserve it.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The details surrounding the case, which became the subject of Netflix’s 2015 documentary Making a Murderer, remain unclear, with no official cause of death apart from homicide and no eyewitnesses to the crime.—
Nicole Briese,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
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Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact KCPD homicide detectives at 816-234-5043 or the anonymous TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS, Becchina said.—
Caroline Zimmerman,
Kansas City Star,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.—
Daniella Segura,
Miami Herald,
28 Oct. 2025
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The Chiefs have seen some of league’s premier running backs — such as Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry and Jahmyr Gibbs — and have met each challenge, preventing those elite players from ruining the defensive game plan.—
Emily Curiel,
Kansas City Star,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The left hasn't yet matched the reach of conservative influencers who seized on social issues last year, such as Candace Owens, Tucker Carlson and slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk.—
Jay Stahl,
USA Today,
25 Oct. 2025
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But the 36-yard attempt by Finbar Bresnehan sailed wide right, and the Chieftains finally slayed a seemingly insurmountable opponent.—
Justin Barrasso,
Boston Herald,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Such grotesque accounts are part of alternate histories that hegemonic discourse attempted to erase.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
30 Oct. 2025
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Nations weave myths out of victories and erase defeats with the promise of future triumphs.—
Elizabeth D. Samet,
Foreign Affairs,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rubout.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rubout. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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