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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

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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

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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
  • David Kingsley was convicted of murder and manslaughter, while five other guards pleaded guilty to manslaughter for Brooks’ death.
    — Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 19 Sep. 2026
  • One youth has been charged with second-degree murder and armed criminal action in the Wednesday afternoon shooting near Raytown High School.
    — Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of murder
Verb
  • Just this man, essentially destroying himself while his friend watched.
    — Fiction Non Fiction, Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2026
  • The European Union’s ban on destroying unsold apparel, clothing accessories and footwear began applying to large companies July 19.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of destroy
Verb
  • President Joe Biden extended it after Haitiian President, Jovenel Moïse was assassinated on July 7, 2021.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 23 Sep. 2026
  • In the late 1990s, there were calls for the citizenship of Yigal Amir, who assassinated former Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin in 1995, to be removed.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of assassinate
Verb
  • Community meetings focus on eradicating the homeless and protecting property values rather than supporting neighbors or providing shelter.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Back then, researchers were focused on eradicating the New World screwworm, a nasty pest that lays its eggs in wounds on living creatures.
    — Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of eradicate
Noun
  • Pembroke Pines officers asked the sheriff’s office to handle the homicide investigation — John retired from the Pembroke Pines Police Department following nearly 28 years of service and his on-duty motorcycle crash.
    — Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 22 Sep. 2026
  • The Harris County Medical Examiner's office determined her death was a homicide resulting from neck compression.
    — Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of homicide
Verb
  • Before the attack, millions of books a year were printed in this space, where there’s now nothing but piles of swollen book stock, ruined after firefighters put out the blaze.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 21 Sep. 2026
  • But Timothy Leary’s version became the dominant idea of psychedelics, and when President Ronald Reagan’s War on Drugs began, psychedelics were vilified as the gateway to ruin.
    — Claire Hoffman, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of ruin
Verb
  • With career-defining performances from Jodie Foster and Sir Anthony Hopkins, this movie still absolutely slays 35 years after it was released.
    — Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2026
  • When his friend Richard (Leo Suter) slays Beatrice’s husband as well, the two come up with a scheme to marry the sisters and take over their property.
    — Jourdain Searles, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of slay
Verb
  • These actions further erase and invalidate the contributions of women, Black service members and other service members of color.
    — Jeremiah Favara, The Conversation, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Turn To Natural Repellants Natural repellants can erase the pheromone scent trails left behind, which can attract more beetles.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 18 Sep. 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 26 Sep. 2026.

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