drub

[ druhb ]

verb (used with object)

, drubbed, drub·bing.

1. to beat with a stick or the like; cudgel; flog; thrash.
2. to defeat decisively, as in a game or contest.
3. to drive as if by flogging:

   Latin grammar was drubbed into their heads.

4. to stamp (the feet).

noun

1. a blow with a stick or the like.

drub

/ drʌb /

verb

1. to beat as with a stick; cudgel; club
2. to defeat utterly, as in a contest
3. to drum or stamp (the feet)
4. to instil with force or repetition

   the master drubbed Latin into the boys

noun

1. a blow, as from a stick

Other Words From

• drubber noun
• un·drubbed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of drub¹

1625–35; perhaps by uncertain mediation < Arabic ḍarb blow, beating

Word History and Origins

Origin of drub¹

C17: probably from Arabic dáraba to beat

Example Sentences

Bass took advantage of the new political landscape to drub her rival, notching a nearly 10-percentage-point margin.

From Los Angeles Times

If nothing else, spending some spare cash to drub Big Lie Republicans in the Pennsylvania gubernatorial race is a good start.

From Slate

Right-hander Masahiro Tanaka struck out five in three hitless innings to help New York drub visiting Boston at Tampa, Fla. The Yankees scored six runs in the first.

From Reuters

That tandem isn’t the sole reason we’re going to drub the competition this season, though.

From Seattle Times

But some close to Sanders have noticed the switches and fear that Sanders is not doing enough to court the on-the-ground support that allowed him to essentially fight Clinton to a draw in Iowa in 2016 and drub her in New Hampshire.

From Washington Post

Related Words

• clobber
• spank
• trounce
• wallop