RUB OUT Synonyms: 232 Similar and Opposite Words

rubout 1 of 2

noun

Definition of rubout

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

rub out

2 of 2

verb

as in to destroy

to bring to a complete end the physical soundness, existence, or usefulness of aerial bombs rubbed out the oil refinery

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to assassinate

to put to death deliberately an elaborate setup to rub out rival mobsters

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

Noun

The boy was booked into Placer County Juvenile Hall on suspicion of murder, Gaines said.

— Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 17 Oct. 2026
Three men in Mexico received 158-year prison sentences Friday for the murders of Australian surfers Callum and Jake Robinson and their American friend Carter Redd Rhoad.

— Robert McGreevy, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of murder

Verb

Rather than undertaking the difficult but just and moral work of reform of the nation's immigration laws, Vance would destroy and expel their families with a smile, claiming that such actions will save you money.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026
Running low on fuel, NASA chose to steer Cassini straight into Saturn's atmosphere, where the spacecraft was destroyed.

— Tariq Malik, Space.com, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of destroy

Verb

This is where Catto was assassinated 155 years ago during a tumultuous Election Day in 1871.

— Timothy Welbeck, The Conversation, 13 Oct. 2026
The plot included plans to assassinate the current president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and his vice president, Geraldo Alckmin.

— Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of assassinate

Noun

Roughly a dozen agents from Quantico, Virginia, and Philadelphia homicide detectives are processing the home and surrounding the property.

— Joe Holden, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026
The police department said the tip was flagged as spam and was never forwarded to homicide investigators.

— ABC News, ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of homicide

Verb

Credit stress at CoreWeave, concerns over corporate AI spending and another hot inflation report erased more than $1 trillion from 20 of the world's largest AI and semiconductor stocks this week.

— Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026
His apprehension turned into anger when the city’s Department of Transportation erased the DIY crosswalks two months later.

— Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of erase

Browse Nearby Words

rubicund

rubout

rub out

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Rubout.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rubout. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of rubout

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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