1
as in destroying
to bring to a complete end the physical soundness, existence, or usefulness of
aerial bombs rubbed out the oil refinery
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in murdering
to put to death deliberately
an elaborate setup to rub out rival mobsters
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in eradicating
to destroy all traces of
a promise to rub out the city's drug trade
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rubbing out
Verb
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But when the other side is destroying it, there are worse things to be than the alternative.—
Mark Leibovich,
The Atlantic,
11 Feb. 2026 -
The European Union is moving forward with its ban on destroying unsold clothing, footwear and accessories.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Sourcing Journal,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Revuckas is also charged with murdering Morales's unborn child and is due back in court on Wednesday.—
Marissa Sulek,
CBS News,
17 Feb. 2026
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The family of a Broward man is seeking justice after two teens were arrested in Texas on Thursday after being accused of murdering him.—
Ted Scouten,
Miami Herald,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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While the president’s focus seems to be on eradicating African Americans and our contributions from America and its culture, his hate campaign doesn’t stop with African Americans.—
Bea L. Hines,
Miami Herald,
13 Feb. 2026
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The agency was finding and eradicating cannabis grows in national forests effectively.—
Rachel Becker,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Steam cleaning is an effective way to sanitize and refresh your mattress, but the wrong technique can end up ruining the fabric.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
15 Feb. 2026
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Meanwhile, Bree doesn’t even realize that Evan is already in the process of ruining everything.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Vulture,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Harry Jacobs, who was recently named head of the office's criminal division, was also involved in the prosecution of Vance Boelter, the man accused of assassinating former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark.—
Sarah N. Lynch,
CBS News,
5 Feb. 2026
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Days later, Trump, much to the surprise of even his own advisers, responded by assassinating Iran’s top military commander, Qassem Soleimani, in Iraq.—
Karim Sadjadpour,
The Atlantic,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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That has led, in part, to some talk of a salary cap and a potential lockout perhaps erasing the entire 2027 season.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2026
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These services do all the work for you by actively monitoring and systematically erasing your personal information from hundreds of websites.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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This happens when heavy rain or snowmelt raises the river level, shattering the existing ice cover.—
Ahmad Bajjey,
CBS News,
14 Feb. 2026
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The first attempt ended in shattering disappointment.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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As Zelensky spoke, video footage played on the wall behind him showing new Ukrainian technology taking out Russian drones – harsh reality contrasting with the policy wonkery in the room.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
15 Feb. 2026
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Charlie Mickel, fresh from taking out one of the favorites, Cooper Woods, in the previous round, faced another Australian in Matt Graham this time around.—
Sean Nevin,
NBC news,
15 Feb. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Rubbing out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rubbing%20out. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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