rough (up)

verb

Definition of rough (up)next
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

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rough (up)
  1. lick
  2. abuse
  3. hide
  4. attack
  5. pound
  6. ambush
  7. lash
  8. manhandle
Verb
  • Most other social mammals groom by licking, but primates are unique among tetrapod vertebrates in our reliance on hands and feet for tasks many other taxa use their faces for, says Borths.
    Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 21 Nov. 2024
  • Zia was licking herself and developing hotspots from itchiness.
    Jen McCaffery, Discover Magazine, 14 Nov. 2024
Definition of lick
Verb
  • That brings enormous power, and the ability to abuse that power.
    Daniel Eagan, IndieWire, 19 Nov. 2024
  • That post in question found Harper outright denying Richards’ lawsuit claims that Diddy subjected them to abuse.
    Marc Griffin, VIBE.com, 19 Nov. 2024
Definition of abuse
Verb
  • The Super Bowl contender hiding in plain sight Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper signed a 13-year, $330 million contract in early 2019 in what was a record deal at the time.
    David K. Li, NBC News, 13 Nov. 2024
  • But Bill Belichick has nothing in particular to offer when journalists ask about coaches hiding the effects of the disease.
    Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 12 Nov. 2024
Definition of hide
Verb
  • Just two years prior, the NFL team had shelled out more than $1.4 million trying to get Becker elected mayor, and another roughly $1 million attacking Mayor Lisa Gillmor.
    Grace Hase, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024
  • An investigation from DePaul University and the Chicago Police Department is underway after two Jewish students who were visibly showing their support for Israel were attacked on the university’s Lincoln Park campus.
    NBC Chicago, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024
Definition of attack
Verb
  • Through the opening 10 minutes, the Pioneers were pounding on the door with two early corners and a shot from distance that sailed just over the crossbar.
    Braidon Nourse, The Denver Post, 16 Nov. 2024
  • In Lebanon's capital, Israeli planes pounded the southern suburb of Dahiyeh overnight and early Friday for the first time in four days, spreading panic after a rare lull.
    SALLY ABOU ALJOUD AND WAFAA SHURAFA THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, arkansasonline.com, 2 Nov. 2024
Definition of pound
Verb
  • Hernández caused an eruption two pitches later, ambushing a 1-and-0 fastball for a two-run shot the other way.
    Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2024
  • Bjørn tries to get his family to safety without revealing the true danger to them, but they’re ambushed by the Dutch couple.
    Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 13 Sep. 2024
Definition of ambush
Verb
  • The Owl, the father figure, flies into rages, yelling and occasionally lashing out with a hand or foot.
    Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, 21 Nov. 2024
  • Following his debate with Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump lashed out at ABC over the moderators' fact-checking efforts.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
Definition of lash
Verb
  • But Ait-Nouri was physically manhandled by Saka in a duel early on, a clear sign of how dominant the winger is becoming.
    Jordan Campbell, The Athletic, 17 Aug. 2024
  • Iris ends up getting manhandled a little, but at least no one is killed.
    Noel Murray, Vulture, 7 July 2024
Definition of manhandle
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Thesaurus Entries Near rough (up)

roughs (up)

rough (up)

rouging

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Rough (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rough%20%28up%29. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

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