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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Of course, the flue was closed, so the fire licked up the walls, left a smell like the fall, like ancient smokehouses and dung.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Mar. 2026 -
At Nadeau’s Ice Sculptures, the oldest carving factory in America, a team of former archaeologists and butchers creates ephemeral art designed to be licked, touched, and eventually, lost.—
Blair Braverman,
Outside,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Subscribers’ oral argument Arguing for the subscribers, attorney Amanda Bonn of Susman Godfrey maintained that Gutierrez abused his discretion.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
11 Mar. 2026
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During that time, court officials said Gillespie abused his position for personal gain.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Hezbollah also fired rockets, as Israel pounded targets in the suburbs of the Lebanese capital, Beirut.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Shay Whitcomb of the Houston Astros hit two home runs in back-to-back plate appearances, teammate Bo Gyeong Moon pounded a grand slam and Jahmai Jones of the Detroit Tigers added a solo shot in the eighth inning.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Iran, Israel and the United States also have attacked oil and gas facilities since the war started, worsening supply concerns.—
Alex Veiga,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
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Its national oil company declared force majeure after the country’s sole oil refinery was attacked.—
Elaine Kurtenbach,
Fortune,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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One of Milwaukee's more controversial landlords lashed out at a city council member and city inspectors.—
JR Radcliffe,
jsonline.com,
5 Mar. 2026
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Maza drew in Hamburg players before flicking the ball on for Kofane, who lashed it into the top-left corner.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Pats manhandled Denver in the AFC Championship Game, thanks mostly to defensive tackles Milton Williams and Christian Barmore.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
8 Feb. 2026
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Making the scene even more a spectacle was the fact that Yam Yam was literally being manhandled and dragged out of the castle while doing so.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Oil prices whipped from nearly $120 per barrel, their highest since 2022, back toward $90.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
10 Mar. 2026
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Oil prices whipped from nearly $120 per barrel, the highest since 2022, back toward $90.—
Samy Magdy,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Prosecutors allege the gunmen tracked Bowman to Los Angeles and ambushed him at a gas station near the Beverly Center, firing at least 18 rounds from multiple weapons, including a machine gun.—
Nancy Dillon,
Rolling Stone,
27 Feb. 2026
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Flying through blizzard conditions, his squadron was ambushed by seven Soviet fighter planes.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
25 Feb. 2026
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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 13 Mar. 2026.
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