drub
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to beat with a stick or the like; cudgel; flog; thrash.
-
to defeat decisively, as in a game or contest.
-
to drive as if by flogging.
Latin grammar was drubbed into their heads.
-
to stamp (the feet).
noun
verb
-
to beat as with a stick; cudgel; club
-
to defeat utterly, as in a contest
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to drum or stamp (the feet)
-
to instil with force or repetition
the master drubbed Latin into the boys
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of drub
1625–35; perhaps by uncertain mediation < Arabic ḍarb blow, beating
Vocabulary lists containing drub
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.
See Examples For:
Bass bounded into office in 2022, buoyed by a broad coalition and Democratic wall of support that helped her drub billionaire mall mogul Rick Caruso, despite Caruso massively outspending her.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 11, 2025
Bass took advantage of the new political landscape to drub her rival, notching a nearly 10-percentage-point margin.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 25, 2022
On March 2, Le Batard began the local hour with a lengthy investigation into how the Los Angeles Lakers managed to drub the Miami Heat the night before, putting up 131 points.
From Slate ● Apr. 13, 2018
After all, the rule of thumb for a century has been drub the bums and play .500 against top teams.
From Washington Post ● May 30, 2016
It seemed as though even Fate's bludgeonings couldn't drub impulse out of her.
From Shadows of Flames A Novel by Amélie Rives
Others have had their moments: Fellow debutants Curacao scored against Germany - despite being drubbed - Jordan pushed Austria for long periods and DR Congo held Portugal.
From BBC ● Jun. 18, 2026
The Cardinals’ friskiness is being chatted about because of preseason expectations, but they’ve quietly been drubbed the last three weeks, losing by more than two touchdowns in all three weeks while failing to cover.
From Seattle Times ● Oct. 20, 2023
Protasiewicz drubbed Kelly by double digits, according to unofficial returns.
From Washington Post ● Apr. 5, 2023
Six weeks ago, Gentry could only hop into the USC huddle on one leg, helpless as its defense was drubbed by Utah.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 27, 2022
I went from thence to Landen, where I was heartily drubbed in battle, with the butt end of a Swiss musket.
From The Constant Couple or, A Trip to the Jubilee by George Farquhar
The fact this victory came off the back of a 5-0 drubbing at home to Brighton makes it all the more rewarding for the Coventry boss.
From BBC ● Sep. 19, 2026
Once he shook off a 36-point drubbing, though, Golesh saw his own future.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 27, 2026
The building exterior has taken an almost universal drubbing; it looks like a refrigerator that dropped off the Death Star.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 17, 2026
Portugal recorded their biggest win of the cycle in one of those matches when Ronaldo was not involved - a 9-0 drubbing of Luxembourg in Faro in September 2023.
From BBC ● Jun. 7, 2026
She gave me a nice drubbing when I finally turned up with it.
From "I Am the Messenger" by Markus Zusak
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