rough up
verb
roughed up; roughing up; roughs up
informal
: to hit and hurt (someone)
The prisoner claimed that he was roughed up by the guards.
Examples of rough up in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
After a 2025 season derailed by injury, Caitlin Clark was roughed up once again on Wednesday night, leaving the game with a back injury after taking a fist to the throat earlier in the game.
—
Mason Leib,
ABC News,
25 June 2026
Royals right-handed starter Stephen Kolek was roughed up early.
—
Kansas City Star,
21 June 2026
Use fine-grit sandpaper to lightly rough up slick surfaces so the glue has something to grip, then wipe everything down with an alcohol wipe to remove oils (yes, even on a brand-new book).
—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
19 May 2026
Instead, the Falcons will make trips to Pittsburgh and Green Bay in September before things really get rough up north.
—
Josh Kendall,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for rough up
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Mason Leib,
ABC News,
25 June 2026
Royals right-handed starter Stephen Kolek was roughed up early.
—
Kansas City Star,
21 June 2026
Use fine-grit sandpaper to lightly rough up slick surfaces so the glue has something to grip, then wipe everything down with an alcohol wipe to remove oils (yes, even on a brand-new book).
—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
19 May 2026
Instead, the Falcons will make trips to Pittsburgh and Green Bay in September before things really get rough up north.
—
Josh Kendall,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for rough up
Cite this Entry
“Rough up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rough%20up. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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