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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Fundraising craters, and both tech and blockchain are left licking their wounds.—
Tomer Warschauer Nuni,
Forbes.com,
6 May 2025 -
To stop their younger golden retriever Cooper from licking his ears, Tucker had a medical cone.—
Matt Robison,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Apr. 2025
Verb
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For one, the Fed is unconstrained in its printing of dollars and is therefore more likely to abuse that power in its attempt to stabilize the US economy.—
Korok Ray,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2025
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Ventura Fine, who is pregnant with her third child with husband Alex Fine, is testifying that Combs abused her over many years.—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA Today,
14 May 2025
Verb
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At 19, Johnson married his wife Daphne and initially, was able to hide his drug use from her, the Johnson's clemency petition said.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
22 May 2025
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This navy/stone style is one person’s solution to hiding their two dogs’ dark-colored fur.—
Ali Faccenda,
People.com,
21 May 2025
Verb
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An adult son had attacked his mother with a machete and ran to a nearby house, according to police.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 May 2025
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While in federal prison, according to the Bureau of Prisons, Stroud attacked another inmate, resulting in his transfer to USP Leavenworth.—
Adam Sabes,
FOXNews.com,
10 May 2025
Verb
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Thirty minutes later, Combs was pounding on the apartment door with a hammer, Morgan said.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
20 May 2025
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The creek is pounding the foundation of his cottage and seeping inside.—
Jennifer Berry Hawes,
ProPublica,
19 May 2025
Verb
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While Rodríguez gave up one run in the first inning after a leadoff double from Ohtani, Sasaki was ambushed for three.—
Jack Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
10 May 2025
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In Game 2, the Tigers ambushed right-hander Tanner Gordon for six runs on seven hits in the third inning, the biggest blow, a three-run double by Gleyber Torres.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
8 May 2025
Verb
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As judges have ruled against the Trump administration, the president and his allies have lashed out in response, suggesting judges should not be allowed to constrain Trump's presidential actions and calling for judges to be impeached.—
Alison Durkee,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2025
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But Zaharias retired the side in order in the top of the seventh, then lashed his game-winning two-bagger in the bottom of the inning, driving home pinch-runner JT Anderson and Ryder Kelly, who reached base on an error.—
Mike Lefkow,
Mercury News,
8 May 2025
Verb
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Grant manhandled weaker offensive linemen in college, but there are concerns about his game translating to the NFL.—
Arick Wierson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Apr. 2025
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Brito looked completely out of his depth as he was manhandled en route to a lopsided loss.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
5 Apr. 2025
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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 25 May. 2025.
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