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
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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
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of rubout
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
The resort can arrange a local masseuse to rub out all that daring inside the comfort of your cabin.
—Rina Nehdar, Travel + Leisure, 4 Mar. 2022
The man, Eric Charles Maund, whose family runs Volkswagen and Toyota dealerships in and around Austin, is alleged to have hired the trio to rub out Holly Williams, 33, and William Lanway, 36, in March 2020, police and prosecutors said.
—NBC News, 13 Dec. 2021
See all Example Sentences for rubout 
Verb
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
The resort can arrange a local masseuse to rub out all that daring inside the comfort of your cabin.
—Rina Nehdar, Travel + Leisure, 4 Mar. 2022
The man, Eric Charles Maund, whose family runs Volkswagen and Toyota dealerships in and around Austin, is alleged to have hired the trio to rub out Holly Williams, 33, and William Lanway, 36, in March 2020, police and prosecutors said.
—NBC News, 13 Dec. 2021
See all Example Sentences for rubout
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rubout
Noun
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Nina Beltran, aka Nina Marano, requested her own disciplinary revocation from the Florida Bar after being arrested and convicted of tampering with a corpse in connection with the October 2021 murder of 23-year-old Marisela Botello-Valdez in Dallas.Compiled by Democrat-Gazette staff from wire reports, arkansasonline.com, 2 Dec. 2024
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Progress is being made in the investigation into the unsolved murder of 6-year-old beauty queen JonBenet Ramsey, those briefed on the investigation told ABC News.Josh Margolin, ABC News, 2 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Double talk takes many forms, all of which damage or destroy trust: Spin: Every organization and, to an extent, every individual engages in public relations.Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024
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Healthcare providers insert a probe into the affected vein, emitting laser beams that produce heat to destroy the veins.Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 2 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The militant group, which was credited for helping save the Assad regime from Syrian rebels, is now significantly weakened, with most of its leaders assassinated.Mostafa Salem, CNN, 29 Nov. 2024
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Trump, too, will follow a president who removed the military options from every table, even after Iran sent its proxies to murder American soldiers and assassinate former U.S. officials.Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2024
Verb
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Our rating: False The World Health Organization declared smallpox officially eradicated in 1980.Chris Mueller, Austin American-Statesman, 29 Nov. 2024
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These efforts are a part of Paul Quinn’s broader mission to eradicate generational poverty.Melissa Noel, Essence, 25 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Missing hikers:Hiker who vanished mid-October in frigid Canadian wilderness found alive over a month later Lane-Fournier's husband faces charges After Lane-Fournier's body was found, officials conducted an autopsy and determined the manner of death as homicide.Taylor Ardrey, USA TODAY, 2 Dec. 2024
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McIntyre was just 17 in 1994 when he was arrested and charged in connection with a double homicide within hours of the crimes.Heather Hollingsworth, Los Angeles Times, 2 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Other highlights include a powerful camera that can detect faces and up to 10 hours of battery life, so a forgotten charger won’t ruin your plans.Sarah Felbin, SELF, 29 Nov. 2024
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Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek's network of contributors Jude Law recently ruined some of the magic from his feel-good classic The Holiday.Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2024
Verb
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With that, plus strong songs and a solid group of musicians there is much promise as Saint Blonde sails off to slay the dragon of anonymity.Eric Fuller, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024
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But choosing a dime-a-dozen country singer over contestants who just slayed Whitney and Prince, respectively?Charles Masson, TVLine, 25 Nov. 2024
Verb
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Advertisement Politics Climate change could erase the Pacific islands.Molly Quell, Los Angeles Times, 2 Dec. 2024
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If there was any doubt that President-elect Donald Trump intends to follow through with his promises of radical change and retribution, both here at home and abroad, those doubts have been erased.ABC News, ABC News, 1 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near rubout
Cite this Entry
“Rubout.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rubout. Accessed 10 Dec. 2024.
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