1
as in licked
to strike repeatedly
she was badly roughed up by her boxing partner
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
-
Show Viz Nuno Espirito Santo’s Nottingham Forest had counter-attacking licked.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
10 Sep. 2025 -
The afternoon sun licked the windscreen of the car, and the heat boiled my skin.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In a bipartisan vote, 49 Republicans joined Democrats to repeal the authorizations, which members say have been abused to justify later military actions.—
David Sivak,
The Washington Examiner,
17 Sep. 2025
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The biggest Flock controversy centers on allegations that law enforcement has abused the company’s surveillance network to target women, immigrants, and people engaging in legal activity outside their home states.—
Jennifer Jolly,
USA Today,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Coen repeatedly pounded his chest, seemingly signaling that Lawrence needed to hit his receivers lower.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Eighteen students who fled from the shooting took shelter at a home just down the road, after an initial group of them pounded on the door asking for help, resident Don Cygan told 9News.—
Katie Langford,
Boston Herald,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Captured on live television, rioters attacked the Capitol and breached the Senate floor.—
Chris Boyette,
CNN Money,
14 Sep. 2025
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In 1986, Iranian warplanes attacked Emirati oil platforms off the coast of the capital, Abu Dhabi.—
Paul Iddon,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The president has frequently lashed out at celebrities who have spoken out against him, recently including the likes of Taylor Swift, Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Kimmel.—
Michael Nied,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
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Ben-Gvir, who leads a small far-right ultranationalist party, lashed out at the court ruling Sunday.—
Natalie Melzer,
Twin Cities,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Pats got manhandled by Mother Nature and the Dolphins over a 20-7 loss played out under 90-degree temperatures.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
13 Sep. 2025
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The Tigers then manhandled Ball State.—
Tom Layberger,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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With notes of caramel, maple sugar, and whipped coconut, Ellis Brooklyn’s latest launch proves that sweet can still be sophisticated.—
Kimberly Wilson,
Essence,
12 Sep. 2025
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As the winds whipped across the seaside links-style layout, the competition heated up.—
Tim Corlett,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In 1935, Qassam and two of his followers ambushed a group of British Mandate policemen, murdering a Jewish sergeant.—
Sean Durns,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
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The Nationals ambushed Mazur to start the game.—
Steve Gorten,
Miami Herald,
10 Sep. 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 17 Sep. 2025.
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