rubber-stamp

1 of 2

verb

rub·​ber-stamp ˈrə-bər-ˈstamp 

rubber-stamped; rubber-stamping; rubber-stamps

transitive verb

1

: to approve, endorse, or dispose of as a matter of routine or at the command of another

2

: to mark with a rubber stamp

rubber stamp

2 of 2

noun

1

: a stamp of rubber for making imprints

2

a

: a person who echoes or imitates others

b

: a mostly powerless yet officially recognized body or person that approves or endorses programs and policies initiated usually by a single specified source

the parliament was a rubber stamp for the dictator

3

a

: a stereotyped copy or expression

the usual rubber stamps of criticism

—H. L. Mencken

b

: a routine endorsement or approval

Synonyms

Noun

• aper
• copycat
• copyist
• echo
• follower
• imitator
• wannabe
• wannabee

Examples of rubber-stamp in a Sentence

Noun

The legislature has been nothing more than a rubber stamp for the President.

an author who was ultimately just another rubber stamp of Hemingway

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The decision was rubber-stamped by the country’s Strategic Investment Committee, which is controlled by Socialist Prime Minister Edi Rama, 60, once a fierce Trump critic who has had a change of heart. —Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 25 Jan. 2025

But the academy’s directors branch hasn’t rubber-stamped the DGA’s slate since 2010, so someone’s probably out. —Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2025

Noun

Hegseth is clearly unfit for the position and the committee and full Senate should understand that their function is not to be a rubber stamp, but to put tough questions to Hegseth. —New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 14 Jan. 2025

The approval of 22 of the remaining 29 owners is not exactly a rubber stamp, as former player agent Jeff Moorad learned the hard way when his five-year plan to buy the Padres crumbled after the January 2012 quarterly meeting, leading Moores to search for a new buyer. —Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1893, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

1873, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

rubber-stamp

1 of 2 verb

: to approve, endorse, or dispose of as a matter of routine or at the command of another

rubber stamp

2 of 2 noun

: a stamp with a printing face made of rubber