1
as in licked
to strike repeatedly
she was badly roughed up by her boxing partner
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in abused
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 roughed (up)
Verb
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Some even licked the candy to soften it -- a trick used by contestants in the show.—
Hakyung Kate Lee,
ABC News,
17 Oct. 2025 -
Napkins were crumpled; plates were licked.—
Helen Shaw,
New Yorker,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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She had been abused as a child and suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).—
Marni Rose McFall,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
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For over a year, it was then used and abused for testing, much of it on Ferrari’s Fiorano track.—
Erik Shilling,
Robb Report,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The Mavericks pounded tables and stomped their feet.—
Don Norcross,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Oct. 2025
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Storms have already pounded the Outer Banks this year, and Porter warned there could be less natural barriers like sand dunes to block the relentless waves.—
Anna Skinner,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Before taking on the captaincy, Cummins was used primarily as a strike bowler — a fast, hostile spearhead who attacked in bursts.—
Sukhman Singh,
New York Times,
19 Oct. 2025
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This Abel Ferrara cult classic follows a mute seamstress who goes on a revenge rampage after being attacked twice in one day on the streets of New York.—
Emma Specter,
Vogue,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In a post-draft interview on the Bills’ flagship radio station WGR 550-AM, Beane lashed out at the hosts for criticizing his lack of attention to wide receiver throughout the offseason.—
Tim Graham,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
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Andy lashed the feet tightly and then grabbed the loose end of the rope.—
Bob Cary,
Outdoor Life,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Workers described incidents of verbal and physical abuse, including reports from women workers who said they had been manhandled and subjected to obscene remarks and threats.—
Mayu Saini,
Sourcing Journal,
2 Oct. 2025
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Vancouver completely manhandled a similarly representative Flames lineup, ultimately winning 8-1.—
Thomas Drance,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Harrison's head whipped back and slammed into the turf at Lucas Oil Stadium.—
Matt Audilet,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Oct. 2025
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One popular use is a classic Cream Cheese Frosting, which needs to be whipped to perfection.—
Abigail Wilt,
Southern Living,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Victims of the inmates include a family of four, a college student kidnapped from her bedroom, and a state trooper who was ambushed in his driveway.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
13 Oct. 2025
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Last month, three officers were killed when they were ambushed while responding to a domestic call in York County, Pennsylvania.—
Michael Dorgan,
FOXNews.com,
9 Oct. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Roughed (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/roughed%20%28up%29. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
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