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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

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 judge presiding over the case of Jorge Barahona, charged with the brutal murder of his daughter, said Barahona must be prepared to go to trial — or to reach a plea deal.
    — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Clancy was charged with three counts of murder for the 2023 deaths of her three children in Massachusetts.
    — Andy Rose, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of murder
Verb
  • The fire destroyed the historic Grand Canyon Lodge, cabins and other structures.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Mark Zuckerberg certainly wants no part of one, and cutthroat competition seems hard-coded into tech executives, who are rich enough not to need to win but wake up every morning trying to destroy each other anyway.
    — Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of destroy
Verb
  • The program tonight will include a tribute to the late republican activist Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated one year ago, and an observance of the 25th anniversary of the September 11th attacks, which is Friday.
    — Tamara Keith, NPR, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Loosely based on an unfinished novel by Federico García Lorca, a writer assassinated during the Spanish Civil War, the film explores the lives of three gay men in three time periods.
    — A.A. Dowd, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of assassinate
Verb
  • The team examined both the vessel's operational technology and information-technology systems and worked with the crew and the ship's corporate operators to eradicate the threat.
    — Nicole Sganga, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Yellow starthistle is difficult to eradicate by mowing or burning because of its long roots and fire-resistant seeds, TreePeople said.
    — Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of eradicate
Noun
  • Detectives in Santa Barbara County have reopened an unsolved homicide from 1988, hoping new focus on the cold case could help unearth new leads in the investigation.
    — Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Police found the vehicle on the Flock camera system near the homicide scene right after Massey-Brice was shot and again as the driver drove away, according to the warrant.
    — Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of homicide
Verb
  • To me, that would ruin all of the progress baseball has made over the last five years.
    — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026
  • My personal concern is especially based on the fact that their huge need for additional electricity generation could very well ruin our ability to reduce carbon emissions and avoid a climate crisis.
    — Martin Kushler, Washington Post, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of ruin
Verb
  • The deaths accounted for over 40% of the 156 women slain during that period.
    — Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026
  • And yet, in the final battle against the White Walkers in Game of Thrones, the writers decided Arya Stark of all people would ultimately slay the Night King.
    — Rafael Motamayor, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of slay
Verb
  • These benefits and opportunities are currently under threat of being dismantled and erased by Belgium’s current right-wing government.
    — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 11 Sep. 2026
  • And many may be counting on the step-up in basis after death to erase the tax.
    — Robert Frank, CNBC, 11 Sep. 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 19 Sep. 2026.

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