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
-
Their highlight reels hide the daily grind that actually creates results.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2025
-
The boy hides aloft in the Sycamore Gap tree's branches.—
Kim Hjelmgaard,
USA Today,
9 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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Conforto, representing the tying run, pounded a 95.2 mph groundball for an inning-ending double play.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
9 May 2025
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My heart was pounding through my chest standing there hitting.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
8 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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The Journal’s editorial page has weighed in multiple times against Trump’s tariffs, and the president has in turn lashed out at the publication.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
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 22 May. 2025.
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