1
as in to lick
to strike repeatedly
she was badly roughed up by her boxing partner
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in to abuse
to abuse physically
the photographer claimed that he had been roughed up by the actor's bodyguards outside the club
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rough (up)
Verb
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After the drill, Ruin rolls onto his back, then licks a reporter's nose.—
Megan Sauer
Tasia Jensen,
CNBC,
14 Jan. 2026 -
Just hours before Saturday morning’s Shabbat service, flames and smoke licked through the synagogue, destroying at least two Torahs and many prayer books.—
Bracey Harris,
NBC news,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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So long as a person is willing to subject himself to the abuse of the City, the City will find new and worse ways to abuse him.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
12 Jan. 2026
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Ohio State has previously settled filed by 296 individuals who alleged they were abused by Strauss, who died by suicide in 2005.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Minimalists will opt for a charging station with organized cords or a drawer or basket to hide cords in lieu of a jumble of cords and devices, Donaldson shares.—
Sarah Lyon,
The Spruce,
13 Jan. 2026
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That can include driving someone away from agents, hiding them, or providing false documents.—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Two people came out of a nearby apartment and attacked the agent with a snow shovel and broom handle, federal authorities say.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
16 Jan. 2026
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The outlet also said that Rezaei maintained that Iran would abandon any notion of a ceasefire if attacked.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
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As wind continues to pound the camp, a wooden pole delicately holds up the tarpaulin keeping him dry.—
Freddie Clayton,
NBC news,
11 Jan. 2026
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This is a chest-out, table-pounding call to arms for Orlando NFL fans who’ve spent way too long waiting for permission to care.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The Colorado Avalanche ambushed the Ottawa Senators’ goaltenders so badly Thursday night, the visitors signed a new one in the middle of the game.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
9 Jan. 2026
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In another high-profile attack, suspects ambushed authorities at the Prairieland Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Texas.—
Center Square,
The Washington Examiner,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Trump has also repeatedly lashed out over the state’s incarceration of Tina Peters, the former county clerk convicted of state felonies related to her attempts to prove discredited election conspiracies shared by the president.—
Nick Coltrain,
Denver Post,
9 Jan. 2026
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According to Augustinus Bader, apply to brows and lashes morning and night.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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From the first-quarter red-zone stand to the fourth-quarter strip sack that left Justin Herbert twisted, bloodied and dazed, the Patriots defense manhandled the Los Angeles Chargers in the teams’ wild-card playoff matchup.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
12 Jan. 2026
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Nevertheless, Smith, 27, still had the last laugh courtesy of a 25th-minute strike on the half-volley made all the more impressive by how Matt Clarke was attempting to manhandle the forward to the ground as the cross from the equally lively Nathan Broadhead came in.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
5 Jan. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Rough (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rough%20%28up%29. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
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