rubbed out

past tense of rub out
1
as in destroyed
to bring to a complete end the physical soundness, existence, or usefulness of aerial bombs rubbed out the oil refinery

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of rubbed out This treacherous gang has phenomenally rubbed out many signatures of independence in a very short time. Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 14 June 2026 But an Irish knock-on rubbed out a try for Jack Conan, and the second chance was turned over by Mann. ABC News, 6 Mar. 2026 No Mob boss, cheerfully decreeing that an inconvenient witness be rubbed out, could be more resolute. Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rubbed out
Verb
  • Forces also destroyed a third vessel, the M/T Kylo near the Gulf of Oman.
    Gabrielle Khoriaty, NBC news, 5 Sep. 2026
  • And, as Europe has felt more threatened by Russian incursions, a week ago NATO fighter jets destroyed a drone near Romania’s natural gas projects in the Black Sea.
    Jordan Blum, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The program tonight will include a tribute to the late republican activist Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated one year ago, and an observance of the 25th anniversary of the September 11th attacks, which is Friday.
    Tamara Keith, NPR, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Loosely based on an unfinished novel by Federico García Lorca, a writer assassinated during the Spanish Civil War, the film explores the lives of three gay men in three time periods.
    A.A. Dowd, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Magnus had almost entirely eradicated the type of commentary that divided fans along political and racial lines.
    Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The sighting also is evidence, advocates say, of the legal protections that have helped gray wolves recover after they were nearly eradicated from the state.
    Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 4 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • However, with that beauty comes the need to clean these tiles properly so that the finish isn’t be ruined.
    Alexandra Kelly, Martha Stewart, 5 Sep. 2026
  • The fight between a small Georgia community and tech giant Meta has escalated this week after four families filed a lawsuit against the company alleging a central Georgia data center project has contaminated their water and ruined their home values.
    Irene Wright, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • When a patient of Julia’s daughter is murdered and her medical file disappears, the family becomes prime suspects.
    Anna Marie de la Fuente, Variety, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Two Australian surfers, Dean Lucas and Adam Coleman, were murdered in 2015 while traveling through the northwestern state of Sinaloa.
    CBS News, CBS News, 8 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • In Week 1, Carroll erased a 27-0 deficit to stun Oklahoma power Jenks at the Cotton Bowl in a thrilling win.
    Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Rookie fifth-round running back Emmett Johnson flashed vision in the opener, finishing with 12 carries for 59 yards and a touchdown erased by a holding call on Hunter Nourzad.
    Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Some of his pieces on display include 1977 portrait shots of smiling residents in Aliso Village, a large public housing project in the Boyle Heights that was demolished in 1999 because of gang violence and decaying conditions.
    Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Sacks have historically demolished their offense along with Burrow’s long-term health.
    J.J. Bailey, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The state’s order throws into question how these contracts will now be executed.
    Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Chardonnay, an Australian shepherd, recently executed an extraordinary feat, jumping along the backs of 56 people in 60 seconds.
    Mike Snider, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2026

Cite this Entry

“Rubbed out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rubbed%20out. Accessed 14 Sep. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster