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Synonyms

drubbing

American  
[druhb-ing] / ˈdrʌb ɪŋ /

noun

  1. a beating; a sound thrashing.

  2. a decisive, humiliating defeat, as in a game or contest.

drubbing British  
/ ˈdrʌbɪŋ /

noun

  1. a beating, as with a stick, cudgel, etc

  2. a comprehensive or heavy defeat, esp in a sporting competition

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of drubbing

First recorded in 1640–50; drub + -ing 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The defending NBA champions are 3-0 against the Lakers this season, including a 43-point drubbing last week.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2026

The New York Knicks are snapping at Boston's heels in third place after warming up for the break with a 138-89 drubbing of the Philadelpia 76ers.

From Barron's • Feb. 12, 2026

And sure enough, he was picked out among the Principality Stadium crowd when Wales suffered a 10-try drubbing by England during last year's Six Nations.

From BBC • Feb. 4, 2026

Donald Trump‘s entire Cabinet came in for a drubbing when “Saturday Night Live” returned from holiday break this weekend.

From Salon • Jan. 18, 2026

He still smarted, more from Ellidyr’s words than from the drubbing; and he was hardly pleased that Eilonwy had seen him sprawled at the feet of the arrogant Prince.

From "The Black Cauldron" by Lloyd Alexander

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.