rubberneck 1 of 2

Definition of rubbernecknext
as in tourist
a person who travels for pleasure every year raucous rubbernecks by the busload descend upon the city for its famed Mardi Gras

Synonyms & Similar Words

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rubberneck

2 of 2

verb

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 rubberneck
Noun
Yet the car will likely obey speed limits, never get drowsy or drunk and never rubberneck or give in to road rage. Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 22 June 2025 Flimflam felt better in the mouth than swindle, and rubberneck was a more agreeable verb than crane. Ralph Keyes, Time, 1 Apr. 2021
Verb
So there’s no reason to rubberneck Tagovailoa’s career, praising his success, or celebrating his failures. Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026 Time to put fingers over your eyes, otherwise this is just rubbernecking. Tim Spiers, New York Times, 23 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rubberneck
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rubberneck
Noun
  • The store becomes both destination and theatre, capturing domestic consumers, tourists and aspirational shoppers who may never step inside the All England Club.
    Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • From Buc-cee's to barbecue, international tourists can't get enough of American culture.
    Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 2 July 2026
Verb
  • Instead, the skin-frying Friday saw common flow of people going through, gawking at the large screens and a group of sailors allowing some passing by to do pull-ups from a bar.
    Amethyst Martinez, USA Today, 3 July 2026
  • The walk to the stadium is a mile or so along the Alaskan Way, where restaurants like the Crab Pot are opening up, but everyone is gawking at the street spectacle.
    Simon Hughes, New York Times, 24 June 2026
Noun
  • Average transaction values for travel are still high, more than $31,000, but travelers are scrutinizing their receipts and pushing back when rate hikes don't come with better service.
    Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • Each issue is filled with breaking news, deep insights and exclusive strategies for becoming a better traveler.
    Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 2 July 2026
Verb
  • Now, yes, staring at the ceiling long enough to draw you a diagram of the paint peeling.
    Danielle Parker, CBS News, 30 June 2026
  • In Taiwan, a student sitting for an entrance exam for a top medical school was discovered wearing smart glasses after proctors noticed the student staring oddly at the test, leading to an inspection that revealed the frame was emitting heat.
    John Liu, CNN Money, 27 June 2026
Verb
  • An 1812 portrait by Thomas Sully presented him with a long, downturned nose and corners of his mouth to match, leaning on one hand at his desk and gazing over the pages of an open book.
    Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 3 July 2026
  • Terrion Arnold walked across the draft stage in Detroit in April 2024, gazed out at a then-record crowd after being selected by the host city’s franchise and delivered a message to Lions fans tuning in to see their newest addition.
    Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 30 June 2026

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“Rubberneck.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rubberneck. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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