Definition of crudenext
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as in raw
being such as found in nature and not altered by processing or refining a sizable spill of crude oil along a coastline is the worst kind of environmental disaster

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective crude differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of crude are raw, rough, and rude. While all these words mean "lacking in social refinement," crude may apply to thought or behavior limited to the gross, the obvious, or the primitive.

a crude joke

When could raw be used to replace crude?

In some situations, the words raw and crude are roughly equivalent. However, raw suggests being untested, inexperienced, or unfinished.

turning raw youths into polished performers

When would rough be a good substitute for crude?

The words rough and crude can be used in similar contexts, but rough is likely to stress lack of polish and gentleness.

rough manners

When might rude be a better fit than crude?

The synonyms rude and crude are sometimes interchangeable, but rude implies ignorance of or indifference to good form; it may suggest intentional discourtesy.

rude behavior

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for crude
Adjective
  • Rainfall — as little as a tenth of an inch, according to the Allegheny County Sanitary Authority, or ALCOSAN — can cause an overflow of stormwater and raw sewage to flow into the rivers.
    Finch Walker, USA Today, 5 July 2026
  • How to Eat Shred raw Brussels sprouts and use in a coleslaw or salad.
    Kirsten Nunez, Martha Stewart, 5 July 2026
Adjective
  • SpudCell is still primitive, most closely resembling a bacterium.
    Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 1 July 2026
  • While primitive in appearance, the arms kept the device relatively secure on my neck.
    Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 30 June 2026
Adjective
  • Sean Goode, a former Canton police sergeant who was working the night of John O'Keefe's death and testified during the first Karen Read trial, allegedly sent dozens of vulgar text messages, according to an independent investigation.
    Matt Schooley, CBS News, 29 June 2026
  • Others were removed early on for vulgar or inappropriate comments, according to a PGA Tour source with knowledge of the events, with five spectators in total ejected from the tournament with six holes to go.
    Brody Miller, New York Times, 21 June 2026
Adjective
  • Like a more crass, animated Seinfeld, Rocko deals with the mundanities and absurdities of daily life.
    Skyler Trepel, Entertainment Weekly, 20 June 2026
  • With the games having kicked off, the sport has shown its ineffable power to supplant crass and capitalistic overreach.
    Emily Olsen, New York Times, 16 June 2026
Adjective
  • Such a feature would neatly get around the need for clumsy remote control sessions to interact with AI agents running on a distant Mac.
    Paul Monckton, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
  • The head coach was clumsy in his response, saying — in effect — that the player is better suited to being an impact substitute and taking advantage of tiring opposition defenders.
    Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 26 June 2026
Adjective
  • By triggering the release of a natural growth factor in the brain and modulating neural pathways associated with addiction and reward, ibogaine restores healthy dopamine function and reduces cravings, Barsuglia said.
    Gavin Escott, USA Today, 6 July 2026
  • This multitasking hair care product is known for reducing frizz, boosting shine, and hydrating split ends, and some natural oils even help with hair growth.
    Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 5 July 2026
Adjective
  • The outpost may resemble something of a rudimentary city on the moon.
    Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 1 July 2026
  • The Athletic’s Michael Cox gave a detailed breakdown that walked through the tactical hypotheses, but there might be a more rudimentary explanation for this trend.
    Mark Carey, New York Times, 28 June 2026
Adjective
  • Counterculture Yippies would turn up at a 1970 Blood, Sweat & Tears show at Madison Square Garden, carrying obscene banners outside and dumping manure by the front gate.
    Hillel Italie, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026
  • Yippies would turn up at a 1970 Blood, Sweat & Tears show at Madison Square Garden, carrying obscene banners outside and dumping manure by the front gate.
    ABC News, ABC News, 25 June 2026
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.

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Cite this Entry

“Crude.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crude. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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