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
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The flames that licked through the football fields and tennis courts at Pali High devoured touchstones of an iconic campus—featured in films like Carrie and Freaky Friday.—
Simmone Shah,
Time,
5 June 2025 -
Besides, Angela already got her lick back from Porsha’s comments about Charles by instigating the already precarious relationship between Porsha and her bestie and bringing Drew the news that Porsha filmed with Dennis.—
Ile-Ife Okantah,
Vulture,
2 June 2025
Verb
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Three-time gold medal sprinter Gabby Thomas was verbally abused at a track meet in Philadelphia, not the first harassment this year.—
Nick Canepa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 June 2025
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In 2011, Gilbert developed pancreatitis after years of abusing drugs and alcohol.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
5 June 2025
Verb
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The idea is simple: guests hide small rubber ducks around the ship for others to find.—
David Nikel,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2025
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Tree rings hide a record of supernova explosions First off, Brakenridge turned to data from a range of powerful space telescopes, which have long been collecting data about the characteristics of supernovas.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
13 June 2025
Verb
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The pathogen is known as Fusarium graminearum, which can attack wheat, barley, maize and rice and sicken livestock and people, the FBI said in a court filing in Detroit.—
Ed White,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2025
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After the quake evacuation, the inmates were still outside of the cells when a group suddenly attacked guards, seized their weapons, opened fire and fled, said Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan.—
Brittany Williams,
Arkansas Online,
4 June 2025
Verb
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His answers often incite him to pound his fist on the meeting table, interspersed with loud exclamations.—
Thor Svaboe,
Robb Report,
13 June 2025
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His approach emphasizes collaboration with industry to create a framework where the rules are clearly known as the primary regulatory tool rather than aggressive enforcement based on applying existing laws, which many industry insiders described as pounding a square peg into a round hole.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 June 2025
Verb
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The Angels ambushed Richard Fitts for three home runs in a calamitous six-run first inning, chasing the Red Sox starter from the game after only three outs in what ended up being a 7-6 loss.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
3 June 2025
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In London, Richie's men are arriving at O'Hara's office to ambush the ambush.—
Matt Cabral,
EW.com,
1 June 2025
Verb
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Bosses who lash out to get workers in line, by contrast, often feel a sense of accomplishment.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
6 June 2025
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The hostilities began when Trump lashed out at Musk's criticism of the Republican tax-cut and spending bill, and quickly escalated into an all-out online brawl on Trump's Truth Social and Musk's X, with prominent businessmen, analysts and political names weighing in on the fight.—
Anniek Bao,Dylan Butts,Sam Meredith,
CNBC,
6 June 2025
Verb
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The Thunder are the kings of the Western Conference after manhandling the Minnesota Timberwolves, 124-94, in Game 5 of the conference finals on Wednesday night.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
29 May 2025
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Too little, too late, my friend — but at least June looks surprised/appreciative as Lydia is manhandled into a noose of her own.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
20 May 2025
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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 18 Jun. 2025.
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