1
as in to lick
to strike repeatedly a crowd was drubbing the purse snatcher when the police arrived on the scene
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in to overcome
to defeat by a large margin we drubbed our traditional football rivals so badly that it was basically no contest
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 drub The Broncos have a 9-4 series record in 13 all-time matchups against this NFC foe, and drubbed them 30-16 in their last meeting when outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper recorded his first two NFL sacks against Dallas QB Dak Prescott. —
Luca Evans, Denver Post, 24 Oct. 2025 The Bears upset the Vikings in Minnesota before the San Francisco 49ers drubbed them at Candlestick Park. —Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 23 Jan. 2025 The win meant something to Minnesota after it was drubbed by the Knicks on national television a month prior at Target Center. —Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 17 Jan. 2025 The Democrats’ power structure is dominated by lawmakers from the coasts — both at the leadership and committee level — and Craig is the only one of the three candidates to represent the Heartland, where Democrats were drubbed in this year’s presidential contest. —Mike Lillis, The Hill, 16 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for drub
Luca Evans, Denver Post, 24 Oct. 2025 The Bears upset the Vikings in Minnesota before the San Francisco 49ers drubbed them at Candlestick Park. —Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 23 Jan. 2025 The win meant something to Minnesota after it was drubbed by the Knicks on national television a month prior at Target Center. —Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 17 Jan. 2025 The Democrats’ power structure is dominated by lawmakers from the coasts — both at the leadership and committee level — and Craig is the only one of the three candidates to represent the Heartland, where Democrats were drubbed in this year’s presidential contest. —Mike Lillis, The Hill, 16 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for drub
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drub
Verb
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Your table will be licking their fingers.— Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2026
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When a boy had licked her neck at a party during the first week of college, a stranger!— Danielle Parker, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Braves couldn’t overcome a poor start from Reynaldo López and saw their six-game winning streak fall by the wayside in an 11-4 loss to the Nationals on Tuesday at Nationals Park.— Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 22 Apr. 2026
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That power production has overcome incredibly poor luck so far this season.— Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Davis and the other man cornered Pierre against a fence, where they were filmed beating the teen as dozens of bystanders stood by recording the attack.— Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2026
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In the first week of Q1 earnings calls, 49 companies reported results and 76% of them beat earnings estimates, according to Bank of America’s Savita Subramanian.— Jim Edwards, Fortune, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Canty is one of the coaches who whips students into shape.— Terell Bailey, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026
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Johnson whipped out his phone and shared a photo of Maivia with the audience, who applauded at the likeness.— Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Trump has repeatedly lashed out at Carlson — and other right-wing influencers — in recent months who have become disenchanted with the president.— Todd Spangler, Variety, 21 Apr. 2026
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Trump lashed out at them and Tucker in a long, rambling social media post earlier this month.— Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Macklin Celebrini had a goal and two assists to break Joe Thornton's San Jose record for points in a season with 115, helping the Sharks rout the Winnipeg Jets 6-1 on Thursday night in the finale for both teams.— CBS News, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026
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Jesuit scored 13 runs on seven hits in a 37-minute bottom of the first and went on to rout Richardson 20-0 in five innings as James Jorgensen pitched a no-hitter and struck out 12.— Greg Riddle, Dallas Morning News, 7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Workers and technicians are hammering away in preparation for the return of Blue Man Group to Orlando, right down to the placement and pounding of PVC pipes, one of the ensemble’s distinctive musical instruments.— Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 Apr. 2026
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Moisés Ballesteros, Nico Hoerner and Ian Happ homered, and the Chicago Cubs handed the Mets their ninth straight loss, pounding New York 12-4 on Friday.— CBS News, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Bishop acquired the property, intending to preserve the inactive cemetery as a memorial site for the military veterans buried there, some dating back to the Civil War.— Nicole Comstock, CBS News, 12 Apr. 2026
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Three other Syrian relatives were also killed in the Ain Mreisseh strike and were buried on Saturday in the town of al-Shuhail in Deir el-Zour, after the family split upon returning to Syria.— ABC News, ABC News, 11 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Drub.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/drub. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.
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