rubber-stamp

1 of 2

verb

rub·​ber-stamp ˈrə-bər-ˈstamp How to pronounce rubber-stamp (audio)
rubber-stamped; rubber-stamping; rubber-stamps

transitive verb

1
: to approve, endorse, or dispose of as a matter of routine or at the command of another
2
: to mark with a rubber stamp

rubber stamp

2 of 2

noun

1
: a stamp of rubber for making imprints
2
a
: a person who echoes or imitates others
b
: a mostly powerless yet officially recognized body or person that approves or endorses programs and policies initiated usually by a single specified source
the parliament was a rubber stamp for the dictator
3
a
: a stereotyped copy or expression
the usual rubber stamps of criticismH. L. Mencken
b
: a routine endorsement or approval

Examples of rubber-stamp in a Sentence

Noun The legislature has been nothing more than a rubber stamp for the President. an author who was ultimately just another rubber stamp of Hemingway
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Investors watch Chinese markets Mainland Chinese stocks, meanwhile, traded cautiously higher, as investors await the upcoming annual gathering of the National People’s Congress (NPC), the country’s rubber-stamp legislature, which will draw nearly 3,000 delegates to Beijing for the next seven days. Laura He, CNN, 4 Mar. 2024 In power since 1999, Mr. Putin, 71, is set to extend his rule to 2030 in Russia’s rubber-stamp elections next month. Anton Troianovski, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2024 In a speech to the North's rubber-stamp Parliament on Jan. 16, Kim accused the South of attempting to promote regime change. Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY, 19 Jan. 2024 Late last year, Mr. Kim used a speech to his rubber-stamp legislature to abandon a core doctrine dating back to his grandfather’s rule during the Korean War of 1950-1953: the goal of eventually reunifying the Korean Peninsula. Ned Temko, The Christian Science Monitor, 25 Jan. 2024 Opponents of the Chevron doctrine argue that judges apply it too often to rubber-stamp decisions made by government bureaucrats. Mark Sherman, Fortune, 18 Jan. 2024 Once the committee approves the candidate the Prime Minister can make a recommendation to the King, who will rubber-stamp the appointment. K.j. Yossman, Variety, 15 Dec. 2023 The three-day presidential vote starting on Sunday is expected to rubber-stamp Mr. el-Sisi’s hold for another six-year term: None of his three challengers stand a chance of unseating him. Vivian Yee, New York Times, 10 Dec. 2023 During the fall 2023 season, Gucci and Miu Miu were among the top brands who rubber-stamped the look. Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 1 Nov. 2023
Noun
Others have fled overseas, and the city’s once raucous legislature has been cleared of pro-democracy opposition politicians, resembling instead the type of rubber stamp bodies favored by the Chinese Communist Party on the mainland. Chris Lau, CNN, 8 Mar. 2024 The only step left was for the county to finalize the deal, which is usually a rubber stamp decision. Sam Kmack, The Arizona Republic, 5 Mar. 2024 But when a Republican president occupies the White House, the 168 effectively act as a rubber stamp for the president’s wishes given his or her role as the undisputed head of the party. Michelle L. Price, The Denver Post, 13 Feb. 2024 Funding that drew bipartisan rubber stamps in the war's early months is drawing intense scrutiny now. John Bacon, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2024 The announcement will kick off months of talks that could take up to a year before the European Parliament rubber stamps the target. Angela Dewan, CNN, 6 Feb. 2024 Bukele is embarking on a second five-year stint in office where his power will be paramount, the country’s legislature a rubber stamp for the agenda of the executive and the opposition a feeble shadow. Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 6 Feb. 2024 There, the press largely acts as a rubber stamp on behalf of oligarchs who run some of the least competitive companies in the world. J.j. Colao, Fortune, 19 Dec. 2023 For far too long, boards of trustees have been content to act as rubber stamps for university presidents, pacified by promises of tickets to football games and a go-along-to-get-along boardroom culture. WSJ, 29 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rubber-stamp.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1893, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

1873, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of rubber-stamp was in 1873

Dictionary Entries Near rubber-stamp

rubber stamp

rubber-stamp

rubber thread

Cite this Entry

“Rubber-stamp.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rubber-stamp. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

rubber-stamp

1 of 2 verb
: to approve, endorse, or dispose of as a matter of routine or at the command of another

rubber stamp

2 of 2 noun
: a stamp with a printing face made of rubber

More from Merriam-Webster on rubber-stamp

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