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

Relevance

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to assassinate
to put to death deliberately an elaborate setup to rub out rival mobsters

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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
  • Burks personally prosecuted five capital murder death penalty cases during her time at the district attorney’s office.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The murder of two Israeli soldiers in the West Bank is the jumping-off point for a large-scale invasion of the Palestinian territory, a move that would further test the nation’s fraying relationship with the United States.
    — Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of murder
Verb
  • Chemically destroying the channel in adult mouse osteocytes accelerated signs of aging far beyond the skeleton, affecting the brain, liver, and muscles.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 6 Nov. 2026
  • The light generates highly reactive chlorine radicals that activate carbon atoms along the polymer chains without destroying them.
    — Muskan Bhatia, Interesting Engineering, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of destroy
Verb
  • Its tree- and mausoleum-lined avenues are home to over 25,000 burial sites, including Felipe Carrillo Puerto (a progressive champion of human rights who was assassinated in 1924).
    — Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 4 Nov. 2026
  • In the newer episode, the older Darvin travels back in time to assassinate Kirk, plotting his revenge with a bomb implanted in an unfortunate tribble.
    — Richard Edwards, Space.com, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of assassinate
Verb
  • Of course, completely eradicating that is going to be impossible.
    — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Jim recommended buying Qnity during Wednesday's Morning Meeting, underscoring our view that the data center trade hasn't been completely eradicated by the election results.
    — Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of eradicate
Noun
  • In it, the Ford campaigned noted high opioid overdose deaths, firearm homicides, and child poverty in the district, among other issues.
    — Gregory Royal Pratt, Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Sheriff’s homicide detectives and crime scene investigators were investigating the man’s death while in law enforcement custody.
    — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of homicide
Verb
  • Someone else even complained about the self-clean feature ruining their appliance.
    — Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Unless someone caught the problem in time, the heat ruined the food before anyone had a chance to salvage it.
    — Peter Hall, Scientific American, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of ruin
Verb
  • The name of the fourth person who was slain has not been released.
    — Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Tracee Ellis Ross just proved that celebrities don’t need stylists to slay a red carpet.
    — Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 31 Oct. 2026
Definition of slay
Verb
  • The traditional response might be to restore the application or data to an earlier point in time, but that could also erase legitimate changes that employees, customers or other systems made after that recovery point.
    — Rick Vanover, Forbes.com, 30 Oct. 2026
  • The goal is not to erase anything, just to let something lighter stand alongside the heavier feelings.
    — Ashley Lynch, Sacbee.com, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of erase

Browse Nearby Words

rubicund
rubout
rub out
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rubout.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rubout. Accessed 7 Nov. 2026.

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