rubble
4 synonyms for rubble, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Broken fragments of stone, brick, or masonry, especially from a collapsed or demolished building.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use rubble
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
pile of rubble
reduced to rubble
buried under rubble
Etymology
From Middle English rouble, likely related to "rubbish" and ultimately to an Old Norse word for scraping or piling up debris.
Full origin of rubble →Frequently asked questions
What does “rubble” mean?
The word “rubble” means broken fragments of stone, brick, or masonry, especially from a collapsed or demolished building. In plain terms, the broken chunks of stone or brick left when a building or structure is destroyed.
How do you pronounce “rubble”?
“Rubble” is pronounced RUHB-uhl (/ˈɹʌb.əl/ in IPA).
How do you use “rubble” in a sentence?
Here is “rubble” used in a sentence: “Rescue workers searched through the rubble after the earthquake.”
What part of speech is “rubble”?
“Rubble” is a noun.
Where does the word “rubble” come from?
The word “rubble” comes from Middle English. From Middle English rouble, likely related to "rubbish" and ultimately to an Old Norse word for scraping or piling up debris.
Is “rubble” a common word?
“Rubble” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
