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

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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

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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
  • Their son Nick, 32, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder for allegedly stabbing the filmmaker and his wife to death.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Police had not seen him again until he and Gilson were found dead from apparent gunshot wounds to the head in what law enforcement officials believe was a murder-suicide.
    — Meriam Bouarrouj, NBC news, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of murder
Verb
  • Cal Fire continues to battle the Gann Fire, which has burned more than 10,000 acres in Calaveras County and destroyed over a dozen structures.
    — Madisen Keavy, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026
  • At the same time, Bernadette makes her potion and turns into a 60-foot monster, destroying Pasadena.
    — Michael Schneider, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of destroy
Verb
  • Trump was present at the event, and the Justice Department has charged the gunman with attempting to assassinate the president.
    — Antonio Pequeño IV, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Irish revolutionary and politician Michael Collins was assassinated in County Cork at the age of 31.
    — USA Today, USA Today, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of assassinate
Verb
  • This new war on poverty seems intent on increasing it, not eradicating it.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Zardari and Sharif also said Pakistan’s fight against terrorism would continue until it is eradicated.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of eradicate
Noun
  • The series follows trainee Detective Eva Bennett, played by Dynevor, who returns to Manchester and joins a new homicide investigation run by her fearsome estranged mother – the legendary Detective Chief Inspector Lois Mercer, played by Morton.
    — Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 4 Aug. 2026
  • After deliberating for just over an hour, the all-male, white, Protestant jury unanimously decided that 32-year-old spinster Borden didn’t commit a brazen daytime double homicide.
    — Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of homicide
Verb
  • Meals are taken family style, and the refinement of the cooking will ruin ordinary Indian restaurant fare for you.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Aug. 2026
  • With baseball ruined, the Dodgers will look to avoid their second consecutive series loss via the sweep on Wednesday, sending superstar starter Eric Lauer to the mound against Shota Imanaga.
    — Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of ruin
Verb
  • His buddy Batista was slain by Leon Prater (Peter Dinklage), but there’s no doubt Quinn will suspect Dexter played a role in it.
    — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 28 July 2026
  • Indeed, Richard the Lionheart, after countless campaigns and victories, was slain by a crossbowman (ironically, because this was a weapon that Richard championed greatly against the wishes of the Church).
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
Definition of slay
Verb
  • In the third inning, the Rockies erased Salvador Perez’s leadoff single as Massey grounded into a double play.
    — Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 1 Aug. 2026
  • How neighborhoods can reclaim their parks Finch and Thrasher met with Walker in December to offer their thoughts on how to erase the stigma.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 1 Aug. 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 8 Aug. 2026.

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Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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