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

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
  • Diaz, 52, suffered burns to her arm and stomach while trying to incinerate the car and was soon charged with Lopez’s murder, according to a court transcript and a criminal complaint.
    — James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
  • His son, Nick Reiner, has pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree murder in connection with the deaths of his parents.
    — Deirdre Durkan, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026
Definition of murder
Verb
  • That decision eliminated the creative accounting that has destroyed countless songwriting partnerships.
    — Datwon Thomas, VIBE.com, 9 July 2026
  • The leaf-hopping insect destroyed more than 1,000 acres of grapevines in Northern California from 1994 to 2008, causing $30 million in damage, according to the California Department of Food and Agriculture.
    — Lizzie Kane July 9, Sacbee.com, 9 July 2026
Definition of destroy
Verb
  • Attorneys at a key hearing for the man accused of assassinating Charlie Kirk sparred over whether a police interview should be made public, with Kirk’s family attorney saying that sealing it will only sow distrust in the justice system.
    — Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 9 July 2026
  • The 23-year-old man accused of assassinating Charlie Kirk during an event at Utah Valley University will be in court this week for the most substantial hearing so far in his murder case.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 July 2026
Definition of assassinate
Verb
  • However, a professional pest control company may be needed to eradicate them for good.
    — Alora Bopray, USA Today, 8 July 2026
  • There is also a ton of room here for AI and automation to better support credentialing teams in repetitive tasks and eradicate redundancy.
    — John Bou, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
Definition of eradicate
Noun
  • Police in Georgia recovered some of Warren's property and other items relevant to the homicide investigation a few days later, discarded behind a Cracker Barrel restaurant, according to prosecutors.
    — Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 8 July 2026
  • Nocturne tells the story of Jonah Lynn (Schreiber), an ex-soldier turned homicide detective who, tired of working the tough streets of Philadelphia, moves to a small town in Western Pennsylvania for a quiet life.
    — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 7 July 2026
Definition of homicide
Verb
  • Instead of fighting with Whitney, Lindsay has a talk with Yvonne about how Lindsay ruined Yvonne’s wedding by making it all about her.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 8 July 2026
  • However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.
    — Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado July 8, Sacbee.com, 8 July 2026
Definition of ruin
Verb
  • Some mourners, gathering at the funeral of Iran’s slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran on Saturday, expressed both anguish and a desire for vengeance.
    — Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 4 July 2026
  • Tipu himself was found slain near a passageway once used to bring water into the fort; it’s dubbed the Water Gate.
    — Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 2 July 2026
Definition of slay
Verb
  • Sue Kim, director of color marketing at Cabot paints, says refreshing these pieces should never erase the charm.
    — Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 July 2026
  • In order to safely accomplish the stunt, Cruise was attached via a wire that was later erased in post production.
    — Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 3 July 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 10 Jul. 2026.

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