roughing (up)

verb

Definition of roughing (up)next
present participle of rough (up)
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

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for roughing (up)
  1. licking
  2. pounding
  3. attacking
  4. hiding
  5. lashing
  6. mishandling
  7. whipping
  8. doing
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
Definition of licking
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
Definition of pounding
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
Definition of attacking
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
Definition of hiding
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
Definition of lashing
Verb
  • 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
Definition of mishandling
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
  • 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
Definition of whipping
Verb
  • 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
  • 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
Definition of doing
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 roughing (up)

roughing it

roughing (up)

rough it

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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 20 Jan. 2025.

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