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

Soak the garment in water and gently rub out the stain with your fingers. — Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 14 Sep. 2025 But an Irish knock-on rubbed out a try for Jack Conan, and the second chance was turned over by Mann. — ABC News, 6 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rubout

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rubout

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

The most common type of dementia, which destroys memory and cognitive function, was responsible for 116,022 deaths in 2024, NCHS data shows.

— Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
That book is a revenge fantasy about the former art school professor who seduced her, discarded her and destroyed her confidence as a painter.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 2 July 2026

Definition of destroy

Verb

Martin Sheen is the Army captain tasked with going on a secret mission to Cambodia to assassinate a special forces officer (Marlon Brando) who's gone rogue and might actually be nuts.

— Brian Truitt, USA Today, 1 July 2026
Louis Farrakhan, who is now 93, stepped into the organization’s leadership vacuum shortly after Malcolm X was assassinated in 1965.

— Julie Carr Smyth, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026

Definition of assassinate

Verb

In 1980, smallpox became the first human disease ever eradicated worldwide.

— Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
The rare partnership is giving the tribe an opportunity to introduce its language, history, culture that the federal government once tried to eradicate to soccer fans around the world.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 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

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

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Rubout.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rubout. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of rubout

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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