rubout 1 of 2

noun

Definition of ruboutnext
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

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rub out

2 of 2

verb

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

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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 rubout
Noun
Investigators suspect Robinson wanted the rubout. — Gail Sheehy, Vanity Fair, 20 Feb. 2026
Verb
The News started a morning edition to rub out its competitor. — Tim Kiska, Detroit Free Press, 21 Dec. 2024 Apply additional pressure while attempting to rub out these stains, but don't go crazy. — Gia Yetikyel, Vogue, 31 Aug. 2024 See All Example Sentences for rubout
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rubout
  1. murder
  2. destroy
  3. assassinate
  4. eradicate
  5. homicide
  6. ruin
  7. slay
  8. erase
Noun
  • The district attorney’s office filed charges against Greenhoward including murder, use of a deadly weapon, assault on a child causing death and child abuse resulting in death, court records show.
    — Seamus Bozeman, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2026
  • Christapher Butler and detective Summer Benton discuss details of the 1999 cold case after arresting and charging Janarra Sherrer with murder.
    — Taylor Croft, AJC.com, 14 July 2026
Definition of murder
Verb
  • But there have been no exact numbers of how many missiles and drones Iran had when the war began or how many have since been used or destroyed.
    — Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
  • Severe droughts and searing heat across vast swathes of southern Europe destroyed large parts of the olive oil harvest, culminating in a dizzying price rally that shocked industry veterans and consumers alike.
    — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 17 July 2026
Definition of destroy
Verb
  • Other justices have also faced security concerns in recent years, most notably when a man went to Justice Brett Kavanaugh's house in 2022 looking to assassinate him in the weeks after the Dobbs opinion was leaked.
    — Elise Spenner, ABC News, 14 July 2026
  • The hearing comes nine months after a 29-year-old California man, Nicholas Roske, was sentenced to more than eight years in prison for his 2022 plot to assassinate Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanagh at his Maryland home.
    — Dan Mangan, CNBC, 14 July 2026
Definition of assassinate
Verb
  • The woes of airplane middle seats are soon to be eradicated for some United Airlines passengers.
    — Mason Leib, ABC News, 14 July 2026
  • But before the thylacine was fully eradicated, 13 pups of the marsupial species were preserved in alcohol.
    — Taylor Dotson, Scientific American, 10 July 2026
Definition of eradicate
Noun
  • The Sheriff’s Office said homicide detectives did not suspect foul play in the death, though an investigation remained ongoing.
    — Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 15 July 2026
  • When homicides dropped 30% and shootings by 35% in 2025, everyone from the FBI boss to the governor would answer questions about what's going on.
    — Chris Tye, CBS News, 14 July 2026
Definition of homicide
Verb
  • However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.
    — Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 15 July 2026
  • But Neill doesn’t lean into the crotchety loner stereotype that could have ruined the entire film, finding a core of relatable decency in this outsider that instead holds the whole effort together with an honest humanity reflected in his choices.
    — Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 14 July 2026
Definition of ruin
Verb
  • In that case, authorities believe the mother was responsible for slaying the family and then killing herself.
    — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026
  • The body of slain Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has arrived via plane to the Iranian city of Mashhad, where he is set to be buried, the state broadcaster IRIB reported Thursday.
    — Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 9 July 2026
Definition of slay
Verb
  • With the latest rally, the stock has erased its losses for the year and is now up more than 2%.
    — CJ Haddad, CNBC, 10 July 2026
  • But Barberena and Brody said the move this week by authorities went a step further, noting that those erased from the system were not just dissenters.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 July 2026
Definition of erase

Browse Nearby Words

rubicund
rubout
rub out
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Cite this Entry

“Rubout.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rubout. Accessed 17 Jul. 2026.

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