RUBBED OUT Synonyms: 211 Similar and Opposite Words

rubbed out

verb

past tense of rub out

as in destroyed

to bring to a complete end the physical soundness, existence, or usefulness of aerial bombs rubbed out the oil refinery

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in assassinated

to put to death deliberately an elaborate setup to rub out rival mobsters

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in eradicated

to destroy all traces of a promise to rub out the city's drug trade

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Residents of one village in the Gironde region of France returned to find their homes charred and destroyed by the wildfire which has ripped through them.

— Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 26 July 2026
Yet with a lack of funds, officials halted further work, leaving the stands partially destroyed and deserted.

— Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 25 July 2026

Definition of destroyed

Verb

One of the most famous examples comes from Archbishop Óscar Romero, who was assassinated in 1980 and declared a saint by Pope Francis in 2018.

— Gina Perez, The Conversation, 21 July 2026
The 48-year-old daughter of former president Rodrigo Duterte is accused of corruption, bribery, misappropriating millions in government funds and threatening to have the current president, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, assassinated.

— Harriet Marsden, TheWeek, 9 July 2026

Definition of assassinated

Verb

Designed for maximum comfort, Pedi Couture’s toe separator sandals are practical and time-saving, ensuring pedicures don't get ruined.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 July 2026
These folks had theirs ruined by the next shift of roaches, the five who died and the nine spotting living their lives.

— David J. Neal July 24, Miami Herald, 24 July 2026

Definition of ruined

Verb

Showcasing its range, a different Britain’s Most Notorious Crime Investigations ep tells the story of Mahek Bukhari, a TikTok influencer who murdered her mother’s lover and his friend in a high-speed car chase.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 22 July 2026
The Girl in the River centers on an experienced criminologist and a young psychologist who head to a small Mississippi town after a girl is murdered and her twin sister goes missing.

— Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 22 July 2026

Definition of murdered

Verb

Mora erased a 1-0 deficit with goals in the 56th and 67th minutes, giving him 48 in 145 regular-season appearances — third most in club history.

— ABC News, ABC News, 26 July 2026
The Angels erased deficits of 5-1 and 6-4 behind Vaughn Grissom’s game-tying two-run homer, only to be undone by a clutch Giants defensive gem and extra-innings rally.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 July 2026

Definition of erased

Verb

That means his desire to step up into duels and defend on the front foot will need to be executed carefully, to avoid exposing the space behind a high line that was breached too often on the counter-attack last season.

— Mark Carey, New York Times, 25 July 2026
From a fringed mullet, to a blonde buzz cut, bobs in various lengths, micro bangs, and even a shade of citrus—Kristen Stewart’s looks are always executed with an edge.

— Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 24 July 2026