1
as in licking
to strike repeatedly
she was badly roughed up by her boxing partner
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in abusing
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 roughing (up)
Verb
-
Can my cat get sick from licking me?—
Andy Biggs,
Newsweek,
25 Dec. 2024 -
However, many cat owners will hesitate to stop their cats from licking them, to avoid hurting their feelings.—
Andy Biggs,
Newsweek,
25 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
The crowd was so excited that the plexiglass behind us was pounding.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
29 Dec. 2024
-
Prepare for fast, heart-pounding action and brutal competition in this multiplayer game.—
Dana Feldman,
Forbes,
28 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
But future opponents will surely seek to incorporate elements of the defensive blueprint which helped Everton and Fulham derail Chelsea’s attacking momentum.—
Liam Twomey,
The Athletic,
27 Dec. 2024
-
The inmate accused of fatally attacking prison guard Andrew Lansing on Christmas Day was issued a misconduct report in April for making threats, according to Lansing's brother and the prison guard union.—
Laura A. Bischoff,
The Enquirer,
27 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Rushdie himself was attacked on stage at an event in upstate New York in 2022 after coming out of hiding.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
27 Dec. 2024
-
Rushdie himself was attacked on stage at an event in upstate New York in 2022 after coming out of hiding.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
27 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
The fight led to Musk lashing out at his opponents on X, who accused him of demonetizing or suspending them.—
Jess Weatherbed,
The Verge,
3 Jan. 2025
-
The fight led to Musk lashing out at his opponents on X, who accused him of demonetizing or suspending them.—
Jess Weatherbed,
The Verge,
3 Jan. 2025
Verb
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However, a lack of clarity over where it should be displayed led to years of mishandling, confidential 1984 memos seen by PA news agency showed.—
George Monastiriakos,
Newsweek,
30 Dec. 2024
-
Within the European Union, for example, heavy fines under the General Data Protection Regulation have been levied against organizations for mishandling consumer data.—
Erum Manzoor,
Forbes,
26 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Elle was also seen whipping her hands in a circle to the music during the awards ceremony.—
Stephanie Wenger,
People.com,
6 Jan. 2025
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This instant camera captures little moments and big occasions on film, which feels a little more special than whipping out an iPhone.—
Malia Griggs,
Glamour,
2 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Over the years, that evolved into doing complete residential interiors, and commercial work including multiple test and demonstration kitchen projects, and then product design.—
Arthur Zaczkiewicz,
WWD,
31 Dec. 2024
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This year, the 50-year-old actress reemerged as a cleaning-supplies entrepreneur, and dished on why doing dishes is her happy place.—
Matt Craig,
Forbes,
31 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Roughing (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/roughing%20%28up%29. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.
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