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
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Recent Examples of rubout
Gail Sheehy, Vanity Fair, 20 Feb. 2026
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
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
Noun
-
Brianna and Kierianna Long now face several charges in connection with the May 30 incident, including assault with intent to murder, assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder and assault with a dangerous weapon, according to local reports.—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
15 June 2026
-
Ellison was booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail on suspicion of murder and was being held without bail.—
Nicole Buss,
Sacbee.com,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
14 June 2026
-
Terminix utilizes the advanced Sentricon baiting system alongside traditional liquid barriers to destroy subterranean colonies entirely.—
Nick Perry,
USA Today,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
Cantrell confronts Ravenna, who admits that he was hired to assassinate the president and the House speaker but had not yet had the chance.—
Helaine Williams,
Arkansas Online,
13 June 2026
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The president watched Israel assassinate his colleagues and superiors, faced accusations by ultra-conservative hardline politicians of compliance with Iran’s archenemy, the United States, and even oversaw a massive crackdown on protests.—
Nadeen Ebrahim,
CNN Money,
12 June 2026
Verb
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Once established, the mollusks are extremely difficult to eradicate and can damage drinking water systems, irrigation infrastructure and hydroelectric facilities while disrupting native aquatic ecosystems.—
Reeti Malhotra,
Sacbee.com,
16 June 2026
-
This neighborhood plan mimics ones used to eradicate the insects on islands.—
Maggie Penman,
Washington Post,
14 June 2026
Noun
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Six homicide convictions There have been six homicide convictions in the seven fentanyl murder cases Gire’s prosecutors have filed since February 2022.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
16 June 2026
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Riverside County homicide investigators have announced two arrests in connection with a homicide in May that left a 47-year-old man dead.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
16 June 2026
Verb
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The Spurs rose up and ruined that party, winning their only game of the series.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
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Historically, barrels of Madeira spent months crossing tropical oceans aboard ships, and merchants realized that the heat actually improved the wine rather than ruining it.—
Emily Price,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
Verb
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Iran is preparing a July funeral for slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.—
Munir Ahmed,
Los Angeles Times,
13 June 2026
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Kim — who faces murder charges in a 2016 killing in San Jose and a 2018 slaying in Westminster — was flown into Los Angeles International Airport on Wednesday, booked into the Anaheim city jail, turned over to the San Jose Police Department and then transported to Santa Clara County.—
Sean Emery,
Oc Register,
12 June 2026
Verb
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The Lynx erased the Sparks’ 7-3 lead — fueled by quick starts from Burrell and Hamby.—
Jordan Puente,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
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But the improvement was not enough to erase the lead held by opponents, according to an analysis of vote updates monitored by The Bee over the past two weeks.—
Daniel Lempres,
Sacbee.com,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rubout.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rubout. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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