1
as in to lick
to strike repeatedly
a crowd was drubbing the purse snatcher when the police arrived on the scene
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in to trounce
to defeat by a large margin
we drubbed our traditional football rivals so badly that it was basically no contest
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of drub
Read full article Those moves happened while the Rangers were in the midst of getting drubbed, 6-3, by the division rival Capitals, with the background distractions creeping into New York’s play.
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Stephen Whyno, BostonGlobe.com, 25 Feb. 2023
The current Sockers are in first place, of course, and favored to drub the Dallas Sidekicks in the 7:05 p.m match at Pechanga Arena.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2023
Bass took advantage of the new political landscape to drub her rival, notching a nearly 10-percentage-point margin.
—Los Angeles Times, 25 Nov. 2022
This isn’t the first time Kansas completely morphed in the second half this tournament, having trailed Miami (Fla.) by six in the first half of the Sweet 16 and then coming back to drub the Hurricanes by 26.
—Scott Gleeson, USA TODAY, 5 Apr. 2022
See all Example Sentences for drub 
Stephen Whyno, BostonGlobe.com, 25 Feb. 2023
The current Sockers are in first place, of course, and favored to drub the Dallas Sidekicks in the 7:05 p.m match at Pechanga Arena.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2023
Bass took advantage of the new political landscape to drub her rival, notching a nearly 10-percentage-point margin.
—Los Angeles Times, 25 Nov. 2022
This isn’t the first time Kansas completely morphed in the second half this tournament, having trailed Miami (Fla.) by six in the first half of the Sweet 16 and then coming back to drub the Hurricanes by 26.
—Scott Gleeson, USA TODAY, 5 Apr. 2022
See all Example Sentences for drub
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drub
Verb
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Buffy loves to groom—in other words, lick—my hair, probably as an act of dominance, according to my vet.—
Elizabeth Denton,
Allure,
28 Jan. 2025
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Having another week off to lick wounds is pretty nice, too.—
Tom Layberger,
Forbes,
21 Jan. 2025
Verb
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As the Super Bowl era began, the Bills fell one win short of the inaugural game, losing at home to the Chiefs, in turn trounced by the Green Bay Packers.—
Tim Graham,
The Athletic,
22 Jan. 2025
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Harris trounced Trump by 20 percentage points, but Biden walloped him by 29.—
George Skelton,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Dallas beat the Eagles by 20 points the next week and the losses — and finger pointing — snowballed from there.—
Dan Gelston,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Jan. 2025
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Comcast closed 2024 with a strong quarter, handily beating Wall Street estimates, but its shares slumped due to declines in its broadband business.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
30 Jan. 2025
Verb
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When this stress overcomes the strength of the rock to create a fault, or the friction along existing fault planes, the ground slips—releasing waves of energy.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
30 Jan. 2025
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The Chiefs couldn’t overcome losses to tight end Travis Kelce, who left the game at the end of the second quarter with a concussion, and defensive lineman Chris Jones, who left the game on the first drive of the third quarter with a knee injury.—
Joseph Hernandez,
Kansas City Star,
30 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Cats hide pain well, Koski said, but perhaps their owners have noticed them biting or lashing out.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
25 Jan. 2025
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Here's what to know about Noem: Marco Rubio to visit Central America:Secretary of State to visit Panama after Donald Trump lashes out at country Where was Kristi Noem born?—
Anthony Robledo,
USA TODAY,
25 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The fire burned for five days in an isolated part of Great Smoky Mountains National Park before high winds whipped it up and swept it toward Gatlinburg.—
Elizabeth Weise,
USA TODAY,
26 Jan. 2025
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Strong winds whipped the 30-acre blaze, known as the Woodley fire, south toward Burbank Boulevard.—
Laura J. Nelson,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The first phase of the truce took effect following a three-hour delay during which Israeli warplanes and artillery pounded the Gaza Strip.—
Mohammed Salem,
USA TODAY,
20 Jan. 2025
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As Israel pounded Gaza in response Hamas vowed not to return the hostages until Israel withdrew its forces from the enclave, permanently ended the war, and allowed for rebuilding.—
Mostafa Salem,
CNN,
20 Jan. 2025
Verb
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On Saturday, the Houston Texans overcame a slow start to rout the Los Angeles Chargers, and the Baltimore Ravens dominated the Pittsburgh Steelers.—
Andrew Torgan,
CNN,
12 Jan. 2025
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The president claimed the action was necessary to rout out subversive and anti-state actors within the national government.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
10 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Drub.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drub. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.
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