ichidan verb, intransitive verb
be jostled; be tossed about; be knocked around
Physical sense: being pushed, shoved, or shaken by external forces, often in a crowd or rough environment.
満員電車で揉まれて、疲れた。
I got jostled on the crowded train and am tired.
波に揉まれて、船が大きく揺れた
The boat was tossed about by the waves and rocked heavily.
ichidan verb, intransitive verb
go through hardships; be tempered by experience; be sorely tried
Figurative sense: enduring difficult situations, often in social or professional contexts, which can lead to personal growth or toughening.
社会に出て揉まれるうちに、彼は強くなった。
He became stronger as he was tempered by experience after entering the working world.
若いうちに揉まれておくと、後で役に立つ。
If you go through hardships while young, it will be useful later.