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rube

[roob] / rub /


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.

This, of course, is an example of a Rube Goldberg machine—an overly complex mechanism that performs a simple task.

From Barron's • May 14, 2026

The object of Mouse Trap, a board game featuring a Rube Goldberg-style contraption, is to catch plastic mice.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 25, 2025

Next, Doc’s Rube Goldberg-ian breakfast contraption whirs to action with burned toast and a glop of overflowing dog food, implying that he and his dog Einstein have themselves been missing for a while.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 30, 2025

That frenzy to create a "mini-primary" or some kind of Rube Goldberg mechanism to pick a candidate was largely based on that knee-jerk opinion.

From Salon • Sep. 13, 2024

Jessie had built the water wall along the eastern facade of the brownstone, inspired by a science class during which her teacher showed them different cartoons of Rube Goldberg machines.

From "The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street" by Karina Yan Glaser




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