RUBBING OUT Synonyms: 210 Similar and Opposite Words

rubbing out

verb

present participle of rub out

as in destroying

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 murdering

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 rubbing out Also on the trail is a gangster named Clyde (John Magaro), who’s been sent to redo the job of rubbing out the mysteriously undead Ida. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rubbing out

Verb

In the early months of 2022, Russian forces occupied Irpin, destroying roughly 70% of the city.

— Aidan Stretch, CBS News, 8 Sep. 2026
Tucker Desmond, who pleaded guilty to destroying evidence of other plotters' crimes, was sentenced to probation.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of destroying

Verb

As interviewees list justifications for murdering civilians, including children, the camera’s gaze eventually falls on the IDF’s own military headquarters.

— Siddhant Adlakha, IndieWire, 10 Sep. 2026
The 36-year-old is charged with murdering 5-year-old Cora, 3-year-old Dawson and 8-month-old Callan at the family's Massachusetts home.

— Melina Khan, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of murdering

Verb

The quest for 500 million flies The only way the US has succeeded in eradicating screwworm is by breeding millions of flies, sterilizing them using radiation and dropping them in areas with infestations.

— Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 7 Sep. 2026
The brand also claims that this sweeps away plaque rather than just blasting a hole through it, more effectively eradicating the sludgy bacteria.

— Jenny Bailly, Allure, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of eradicating

Verb

Tyler Robinson, the man accused of assassinating conservative activist Charlie Kirk, will stand trial after a Utah judge ruled Tuesday that prosecutors presented enough evidence to move forward on all seven charges against him.

— Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Ferrell instead starred as the villainous mogul Jacobim Mugatu, who attempts to brainwash Derek into assassinating the prime minister of Malaysia.

— Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 27 July 2026

Definition of assassinating

Verb

When the option of erasing heartbreak is so readily available, is this a kindness or a cruel, emotional violation?

— Grace Dean, Space.com, 1 Sep. 2026
But Bama followed with a 38-3 quarterfinal flop to Indiana, erasing any momentum and placing DeBoer squarely under the microscope entering a pivotal third season.

— Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of erasing

Verb

At Cordova Villa Elementary, construction includes demolishing the existing administration building and a classroom building.

— Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 4 Sep. 2026
By 2022, the former mill was in disrepair, leading the city to purchase the property with the intention of demolishing it.

— Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of demolishing

Verb

To stay above the water, many people are applying for additional credit cards and taking out loans and second mortgages.

— Eric Khant, Sun Sentinel, 8 Sep. 2026
When taking out of the refrigerator to reheat one or two slices, a skillet is a popular way to revive leftover pizza.

— Daryl Austin, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2026