rubberneck 1 of 2

Definition of rubbernecknext
as in tourist
a person who travels for pleasure every year raucous rubbernecks by the busload descend upon the city for its famed Mardi Gras

Synonyms & Similar Words

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rubberneck

2 of 2

verb

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 rubberneck
Noun
Yet the car will likely obey speed limits, never get drowsy or drunk and never rubberneck or give in to road rage. Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 22 June 2025 Flimflam felt better in the mouth than swindle, and rubberneck was a more agreeable verb than crane. Ralph Keyes, Time, 1 Apr. 2021
Verb
The sidewalk was bustling, but no one even bothered to rubberneck. Amanda Peet, New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2026 The whole of football is rubbernecking in their direction. Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rubberneck
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rubberneck
Noun
  • Worries about neighborhood gentrification, implying a new tourist destination is all downside.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 14 June 2026
  • Seeing the tourist sights in Boston Visitors have spent their time enjoying the city's atmosphere, hot weather, drinks and local food, while also taking in some of Boston's most famous attractions.
    Aaron Parseghian, CBS News, 14 June 2026
Verb
  • Shoppers are gawking at their climbing receipts as food costs continue to climb.
    Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 8 June 2026
  • Still, fans will get a chance to gawk at the arms of José Canseco, who turns 62 nine days before the derby.
    Jon Greenberg, New York Times, 1 June 2026
Noun
  • Plus, the waffle bar is sure to be a hit with tiny travelers.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 June 2026
  • Hydrotherapy is the main draw and is especially helpful for active travelers or anyone managing chronic pain.
    Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 June 2026
Verb
  • Regrets are common enough after lives are lost — when the cost of conflict is staring you right in the face, dead-eyed and countless — and yet this specific contrition persists long before the ships crash, the arrows fly, and the dragons roar.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 15 June 2026
  • Most passengers spend a week living inside the ship, not staring at it from shore.
    David Nikel, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026
Verb
  • Were the children subjected to the marshmallow test allowed to pursue such gratifying delights, or would merely touching the treats have demonstrated their surrender to short-termism, causing the psychologist who gazed at them through a peephole to return, disappointed?
    Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 16 June 2026
  • Yoon’s wife is gazing at a small, framed photo on the cabinet.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Rubberneck.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rubberneck. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.

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