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
-
Maximilien, a French national, allegedly uploaded a clip of himself licking a straw from an iJooz vending machine before putting it back in the dispenser.—
Adam England,
PEOPLE,
27 Apr. 2026 -
There’s Cassie licking a melting ice cream cone as the ice cream drips down her bare chest.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
According to Lewkowitz, if a grower abuses the soil, the system ceases to be viable, leaving zero likelihood of success from a sustainability standpoint.—
Arthur Zaczkiewicz,
Footwear News,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Intermediate scrutiny is why men abuse women at such high rates and get away with it.—
Wendy Murphy,
Boston Herald,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
To add order, cabinets hide toys, there’s a small desk for homework, and East London Cloth café curtains filter the light.—
Katherine Burns Olson,
Architectural Digest,
1 May 2026
-
The Harrison County Health Department notes dark clothing resembles the shadows mosquitoes hide in.—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Democrats have attacked these anti-fraud policies as an effort to undermine safety net programs for the impoverished.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The latest war erupted on March 2, when, after holding its fire since a 2024 truce, Hezbollah launched a surprise barrage of missiles into northern Israel in retaliation for the United States and Israel attacking Iran.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In a historic display of dominance, the Knicks punched first and just kept pounding in Thursday night’s 140-89 victory in Game 6 at State Farm Arena to advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
1 May 2026
-
As if that wasn't enough, the hospital is also in lockdown due to an active shooter, as Maddie (Jennifer Love Hewitt) explains in the heart-pounding promo.—
Christopher Rudolph,
PEOPLE,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Tragically, before Creasy even begins to conceive of what’s happening, he and his entire team are ambushed.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Hezbollah fighters ambush an Israeli patrol, killing three Israeli soldiers and taking two hostage in a cross-border raid, sparking a monthlong war between Hezbollah and Israel that ends in a draw.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The decision comes after Trump lashed out at the German Chancellor Friedrich Merz over his criticism of the US war with Iran.—
Charbel Mallo,
CNN Money,
3 May 2026
-
Los Angeles mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt lashed out at his opponents in a new attack ad.—
Tom Wait,
CBS News,
2 May 2026
Verb
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Those ramped up after Ottawa was completely manhandled by the Canes, and never held the lead at any point in the series.—
Matt Reigle OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
29 Apr. 2026
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The $100 million price tag attached to the legal action is to make sure the city takes Brown’s allegations seriously — and ensure no one else is manhandled by the police without cause, Brown’s attorney Derek Sells of the Cochran Firm said.—
Sheetal Banchariya,
New York Daily News,
28 Apr. 2026
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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 4 May. 2026.
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