1
as in destroyed
to bring to a complete end the physical soundness, existence, or usefulness of
aerial bombs rubbed out the oil refinery
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in assassinated
to put to death deliberately
an elaborate setup to rub out rival mobsters
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in eradicated
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 rubbed out
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
No Mob boss, cheerfully decreeing that an inconvenient witness be rubbed out, could be more resolute.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
ABC News, 6 Mar. 2026
No Mob boss, cheerfully decreeing that an inconvenient witness be rubbed out, could be more resolute.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rubbed out
Verb
-
First Baptist Dallas will break ground on its new sanctuary on Sunday, June 7, after a massive fire destroyed the church's 134-year-old sanctuary in the summer of 2024, the church announced on Sunday.—
S.E. Jenkins,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The diplomat also said that the IDF’s targeting of bridges along Lebanon’s Litani River has destroyed vital infrastructure connecting the south to the rest of the country.—
Max Saltman,
CNN Money,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In September, Charlie Kirk, Turning Point’s founder, had been assassinated by a gunman at Utah Valley University.—
Antonia Hitchens,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Haiti was plunged into crisis in 2021, when mercenaries assassinated President Jovenel Moise.—
Max Saltman,
CNN Money,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Although the Borrelia burgdorferi infection is typically eradicated by quick treatment, some individuals have persistent symptoms, which are referred to as Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome, according to the CDC.—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Measles, once eradicated, has grown to 1,300 cases since an outbreak last year.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The three runners whose chances of victory were ruined — Jess McClain, Emma Grace Hurley and Ednah Kurgat — are now invited to compete at the 2026 World Road Running Championships in Copenhagen in September.—
Bill Chappell,
NPR,
31 Mar. 2026
-
That passive-aggressive email ruined your mood, but the feedback about your project was pretty accurate.—
Jenna Ryu,
SELF,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The vicious murder that followed shook Kansas City to its core and to this day, no one knows for certain who snuck into Leila Welsh’s bedroom and brutally murdered her that morning.—
Patrick Salland,
Kansas City Star,
7 Apr. 2026
-
When Emmett Till was murdered nearby in 1955, Howard helped lead the hunt for witnesses and offered Till’s mother, Mamie, a place to stay during the trial, with armed protection.—
Beverly Gage,
The Atlantic,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Indians erased an early 3-0 deficit with 3 runs in the second and 4 in the fourth.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 Apr. 2026
-
An efficient Cabrera issued only one walk and quickly erased the lone hit — a Nolan Schanuel one-out single in the fourth — with a double play from the next hitter.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Eid Barakat was forced to move from here when his house was demolished.—
Seth Doane,
CBS News,
5 Apr. 2026
-
The project, which was announced by the White House in July, became a highly controversial undertaking when the East Wing was suddenly demolished to accommodate the 90,000 square foot ballroom.—
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Also in attendance was Randy Gardner, whose brother was the last person to be executed by firing squad in Utah, in 2010.—
Sally Krutzig,
Idaho Statesman,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Investigators also executed a search warrant at the student's residence and seized several electronic devices, according to the sheriff's office.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rubbed out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rubbed%20out. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
