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
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of rubout
Kevin Paul Dupont, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Apr. 2023
But church officials warn that secularization more than anything led them to rub out the godparents, a Sicilian thing that’s been going on for 2,000 years, or at least since the church’s dicey first days, when sponsors known to bishops vouched for converts to prevent pagan infiltration.
—New York Times, 16 Oct. 2021
The resort can arrange a local masseuse to rub out all that daring inside the comfort of your cabin.
—Rina Nehdar, Travel + Leisure, 4 Mar. 2022
The man, Eric Charles Maund, whose family runs Volkswagen and Toyota dealerships in and around Austin, is alleged to have hired the trio to rub out Holly Williams, 33, and William Lanway, 36, in March 2020, police and prosecutors said.
—NBC News, 13 Dec. 2021
See all Example Sentences for rubout 
Verb
The Penguins were rubbed out easily Tuesday night by the resurgent Devils, 5-1, a dispiriting loss that dipped them 1 point out of a wild-card spot behind the Panthers and Islanders.
—Kevin Paul Dupont, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Apr. 2023
But church officials warn that secularization more than anything led them to rub out the godparents, a Sicilian thing that’s been going on for 2,000 years, or at least since the church’s dicey first days, when sponsors known to bishops vouched for converts to prevent pagan infiltration.
—New York Times, 16 Oct. 2021
The resort can arrange a local masseuse to rub out all that daring inside the comfort of your cabin.
—Rina Nehdar, Travel + Leisure, 4 Mar. 2022
The man, Eric Charles Maund, whose family runs Volkswagen and Toyota dealerships in and around Austin, is alleged to have hired the trio to rub out Holly Williams, 33, and William Lanway, 36, in March 2020, police and prosecutors said.
—NBC News, 13 Dec. 2021
See all Example Sentences for rubout
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rubout
Noun
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Three people were found dead inside a Baldwin Park home, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department officials said, and a 23-year-old man who lived at the home was arrested on suspicion of murder.Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 27 Dec. 2024
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The man accused of setting fire to a woman in a New York City subway car has been indicted on charges of murder in the first and second degree and arson.Annabella Rosciglione, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 27 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Spreading rapidly due to strong winds, the South Fork Fire destroyed more than 1,000 structures.Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 28 Dec. 2024
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Meanwhile, almost 20 American naval vessels and more than 300 airplanes were destroyed or damaged.David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Liz Tracey March 15, 2022 Everybody remembers that the Ides of March was the day Julius Caesar was assassinated.The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 26 Dec. 2024
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Four days before releasing their second studio album With the Beatles on November 22, the same day President John F. Kennedy was assassinated, the Beatles had made their first television appearance in the U.S. during a four-minute report by NBC’s Edwin Newman.Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Individual errors cannot be eradicated entirely, but must be reduced.Matt Woosnam, The Athletic, 27 Dec. 2024
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Smallpox was eradicated worldwide in 1980, but stocks of the virus still exist in U.S. and Russian biocontainment facilities.Arthur L. Kellermann, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
Noun
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But homicides were up, with nine killings through November versus five during the same time frame last year.Cedar Attanasio, Los Angeles Times, 27 Dec. 2024
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The report found that no homicides had occurred at the prison between 2019 and 2023 and that security and staffing adjustments made earlier this year had helped to reduce violence.Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 26 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Although the name suggests otherwise, the custard should never be allowed to actually boil, which would risk scrambling the eggs and ruining the custard.Elizabeth Hutchison Hicklin, Southern Living, 22 Dec. 2024
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Ventilation along the roofline ensures airflow to prevent the dampness that can ruin belongings.Miles Walls, People.com, 21 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Mangione pleads not guilty to CEO slaying charges The man accused of shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson to death on a Manhattan street pleaded not guilty Monday to state murder and terrorism charges, just days after a dramatic return to the city to face federal counts in the case.Laura L. Davis, USA TODAY, 23 Dec. 2024
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Several hundred people gathered outside the Wisconsin State Capitol for a vigil Tuesday night to honor those slain, with some passing candles to each other and standing close against the winter chill.TODD RICHMOND, arkansasonline.com, 19 Dec. 2024
Verb
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This game won’t erase the lingering feelings in the Lions’ locker room about how that game unfolded.Colton Pouncy, The Athletic, 27 Dec. 2024
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After leaving a voicemail for his childhood love, Nancy (Julianne Moore), on a drunken New Year's Eve, Jack (Alec Baldwin) is determined to erase the message at any cost.Boutayna Chokrane, Vogue, 27 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near rubout
Cite this Entry
“Rubout.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rubout. Accessed 31 Dec. 2024.
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