as in murder
the intentional and unlawful taking of another person's life
the mafia boss ordered a rubout as casually as you might order a pizza
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in to destroy
to bring to a complete end the physical soundness, existence, or usefulness of
aerial bombs rubbed out the oil refinery
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to assassinate
to put to death deliberately
an elaborate setup to rub out rival mobsters
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to eradicate
to destroy all traces of
a promise to rub out the city's drug trade
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of rubout
Gail Sheehy, Vanity Fair, 20 Feb. 2026
Gia Yetikyel, Vogue, 31 Aug. 2024
Even so, the line about YB is specific enough to stay, since the suspects are accused of conspiring to rub out his killer, Cogan stated.
—John Annese, New York Daily News, 24 Mar. 2024
See All Example Sentences for rubout
Noun
Investigators suspect Robinson wanted the rubout.
—Gail Sheehy, Vanity Fair, 20 Feb. 2026
Verb
Apply additional pressure while attempting to rub out these stains, but don't go crazy.
—Gia Yetikyel, Vogue, 31 Aug. 2024
Even so, the line about YB is specific enough to stay, since the suspects are accused of conspiring to rub out his killer, Cogan stated.
—John Annese, New York Daily News, 24 Mar. 2024
See All Example Sentences for rubout
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rubout
Noun
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Their 32-year-old son, Nick Reiner, has been charged with their murder, accused of fatally stabbing them.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Officials identified the man as Grant Parker, who had been arrested last month on suspicion of murder.—
Jeff McDonald,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Weeks later, his father was killed in a fire that destroyed the home Hamlin purchased to thank his parents for getting him into NASCAR.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Saudi Arabia’s Defense Ministry said its systems intercepted and destroyed 10 drones over the capital, Riyadh, and the kingdom’s eastern region.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The writer relied heavily on the work of the Greek historian Plutarch to craft his play, and the real Caesar may have been given a similar warning before he was assassinated thousands of years ago.—
Kate Perez,
USA Today,
15 Mar. 2026
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He was assassinated while speaking to the media outside of a police station.—
Will Croxton,
CBS News,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But screening for latent TB — with treatment that can last up to nine months to fully eradicate the bacteria — is an expensive endeavor with a low payoff, considering that only 5% of people with latent TB will develop into an active case.—
Chase Hunter,
Mercury News,
9 Mar. 2026
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If the name isn't enough to deter you, Langelo warns that bishop's weed (Aegopodium podagraria) is an extremely aggressive grower that is challenging to eradicate.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
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One of the handguns expelled the casing found at the scene of the homicide, Wolf’s lawyer stipulated at a preliminary hearing.—
Matthew Ormseth,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
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The shooting is being investigated as a homicide, and a person of interest has not been identified.—
Caroline Zimmerman,
Kansas City Star,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The evening's historic tie almost gets totally ruined For only the seventh time in history, the Oscar vote ended in a tie.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
16 Mar. 2026
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However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Taylor, 35, has been slaying this award season, not only on the red carpet but also by earning an Oscar nomination for best supporting actress in Paul Thomas Anderson's action dramedy.—
Taylor Ardrey,
USA Today,
16 Mar. 2026
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Demorcy said some bullets and fragments remained in the slain president's body because removing all of them would have taken days and further damaged the remains.—
Tania Francois,
CBS News,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Red Raiders erase a 21-point deficit.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
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When young mice that were housed with older mice were given antibiotics, however, the effect was erased.—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rubout.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rubout. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.
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