roughhouse 1 of 2

noun

ˈrəf-ˌhau̇s How to pronounce roughhouse (audio)
Definition of roughhousenext
as in roughhousing
wildly playful or mischievous behavior their parents simply wouldn't tolerate any roughhouse in the living room

Synonyms & Similar Words

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roughhouse

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to wrestle

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Dissimilar Words
2
as in to cut up

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Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of roughhouse
Noun
Geno lost his composure at the end of the game, picked up a T, then critiqued South Carolina’s roughhouse style. — Dan Shaughnessy, BostonGlobe.com, 10 Feb. 2023 Brazil’s team, a double defending champion, had been eliminated in the group stage in the 1966 championship in England, with Pelé literally kicked out of the tournament by the roughhouse play of Brazil’s opponents. — Tariq Panja, New York Times, 29 Dec. 2022
Verb
In the clip, four male golden retriever puppies were roughhousing. — Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Aug. 2025 While the attempt is made to laugh this off as the result of some sort of roughhousing with Chelsea, even Chrishell suggests to the camera that there’s a more adult explanation. — Anne Victoria Clark, Vulture, 6 Sep. 2024 See All Example Sentences for roughhouse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for roughhouse
  1. roughhousing
  2. wrestle
  3. cut up
  4. joking
  5. mistreat
  6. carouse
  7. horseplay
  8. pummel
Noun
  • As expected, Aussies brought the roughhousing.
    — Sean Gregory, Time, 20 June 2026
  • The boys challenge each other to throw heavy objects, which leads to intense roughhousing.
    — Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 27 Jan. 2026
Definition of roughhousing
Verb
  • Researchers are already documenting these effects, which threaten to render the hard work of wrestling with ideas a lost art.
    — Billy J. Stratton, The Conversation, 21 Aug. 2026
  • James, who seems to be wrestling with the issue of faith more than the others, thinks all of them might be dead.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of wrestle
Verb
  • Mix a package of instant potatoes with a half packet of stuffing mix and some cut up salami.
    — Diana Helmuth, Outdoor Life, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Store Fresh Produce and Salads in Jars Speaking of prepping produce, Costello always makes sure to wash and cut up fresh fruit and veggies for meals and snacking.
    — Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of cut up
Noun
  • Back in December 1968, Dolan wrote a joking column about the earlier Lake Worth monster, from way back in 1947.
    — Star-Telegram staff, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 July 2026
  • Oh, but the Padres manager was ready with the joking last night.
    — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 June 2026
Definition of joking
Verb
  • Riddle says misdiagnosing and mistreating postpartum psychosis can have adverse effects on patients.
    — Louisa Moller, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The lawsuit isn’t the first to accuse Ye of mistreating a fellow musician.
    — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of mistreat
Verb
  • Three sitting rooms are complemented by a further three members’ social spaces for carousing in, concealed behind a subtle screen (here, DJs including Goldierocks make appearances, and mobile snaps are banned; staff politely place a sticker over mobile camera lenses).
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 May 2026
  • Bethany takes the explosive event as a sign to reunite with her old girlfriend Nel (Lena Góra), and carouse across lofts, clubs, and back alleys, leaving her erstwhile partner stranded.
    — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 17 Apr. 2026
Definition of carouse
Noun
  • The device’s user manual also warns it should not be used in response to verbal defiance, or for punishment, torture or horseplay.
    — Ryan J. Foley, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026
  • The device's user manual also warns it should not be used in response to verbal defiance, or for punishment, torture or horseplay.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of horseplay
Verb
  • Destructive tornadoes and drenching storms pummeled the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, including two waterspouts that came ashore in the New York City area.
    — Dakota Smith, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Franks reached the goal line, leapt in the air, trapped the pass to his chest and got pummeled by the Jaguars linebacker in coverage — he was crushed to the point his helmet flew off in the melee.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of pummel

Browse Nearby Words

rough-hewn
roughhouse
roughhoused
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Cite this Entry

“Roughhouse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/roughhouse. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of roughhouse for Spanish Speakers

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