1
as in uncooked
not cooked
you should wash your hands after handling raw chicken
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in crude
being such as found in nature and not altered by processing or refining
raw sugar is honey-colored because the crystals retain cane juices, minerals, and other impurities that haven't been refined out
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in inexperienced
lacking in adult experience or maturity
recruiters like to say the military turns raw youths into responsible men and women
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in turbulent
marked by wet and windy conditions
the day of the funeral turned out to be one of those bleak, blustery, raw winter days that was as gloomy as our spirits
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in chilling
uncomfortably cool
evenings in those mountains, even during the summer, tend to be a little raw
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in biting
causing intense discomfort to one's skin
bundle up if you're going sailing, as there's a raw wind out there in the bay
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in rampant
showing no signs of being under control
a frightening display of raw anger
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in naked
lacking or shed of clothing
a pristine stretch of sand where beachgoers commonly sunbathe raw
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in nudity
the state of having no clothes on one's body
a secluded swimming hole where we could swim in the raw
Synonyms & Similar 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 raw
Josipa Majic Predin, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025
There’s a raw, creative energy in the Colombian film scene right now that’s impossible to ignore.
—Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 23 July 2025
Jarrett Bell, USA TODAY, 23 Mar. 2022
Raw beef stored above raw shelled eggs, crab and shrimp.
—Ebony Day, azcentral, 4 Mar. 2020
See All Example Sentences for raw
Adjective
McClelland's argument suggests that the competition between human and artificial intelligence may be less about raw computational power and more about fundamental differences in how information is processed and creativity emerges.
—Josipa Majic Predin, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025
There’s a raw, creative energy in the Colombian film scene right now that’s impossible to ignore.
—Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 23 July 2025
Noun
So, here’s NFL moneyball in the raw.
—Jarrett Bell, USA TODAY, 23 Mar. 2022
Raw beef stored above raw shelled eggs, crab and shrimp.
—Ebony Day, azcentral, 4 Mar. 2020
See All Example Sentences for raw
Recent Examples of Synonyms for raw
Adjective
-
When considering how much rice to use, plan on ¼ cup of uncooked rice per person.—
Robin Miller,
AZCentral.com,
17 July 2025
-
The index for food at home rose 2.4% over the last year, led by a 27.3% increase for eggs, a 12.7% hike for roasted coffee and an increase of at least 10% for uncooked ground beef and condiments.—
Ty Roush,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
Adjective
-
The essence of the review is evaluation, which of course doesn’t imply the crude simplicity of a thumbs-up or thumbs-down.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
24 July 2025
-
Oil prices have been soft this year, with West Texas Intermediate crude futures off about 9% per barrel, and Brent crude futures down 8%.—
Darla Mercado, CFP®,
CNBC,
23 July 2025
Adjective
-
Wander the ruins of Cristóvão de Moura’s palace, a poignant echo of Portugal’s turbulent entanglement with Spanish rule.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
-
All died in the turbulent waters of Lake Michigan while vacationing in South Haven, where public outrage over the lack of lifeguards has been building.—
Tresa Baldas,
Freep.com,
21 July 2025
Adjective
-
Mass deportations and tighter immigration controls could also have a chilling effect on authorized immigration, including workers and students in STEM fields, which could slow the development of new technologies.—
Claudia Sahm,
Mercury News,
29 July 2025
-
One of the most significant impacts of hateful expressions, including the graffiti in Hyde Park and the mural defacement in Pilsen, is its chilling effect on the rest of a community, Mello said.—
William Tong,
Chicago Tribune,
26 July 2025
Adjective
-
Its comedy is observational rather than overtly satirical, far less biting than other Judge creations like Idiocracy and Silicon Valley.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
25 July 2025
-
Letterman was a frequent critic of CBS, in a comedic but biting way.—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
18 July 2025
Adjective
-
Homelessness is still rampant — and the idea of homeownership feels like a cruel joke to the many millions of households in the Golden State with income far higher than the national median of $75,000.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 July 2025
-
With both systems under one leader, speculation is rampant that Broward’s two health districts will merge.—
Cindy Krischer Goodman,
Sun Sentinel,
17 July 2025
Adjective
-
An image of another man, naked from the chest up, pressed against a large gate by a river of mud.—
Ariel Saramandi,
The Dial,
29 July 2025
-
Twin Peaks Buy six bone-in naked or breaded wings and get six free with the purchase of a beverage.—
Susan Selasky,
Freep.com,
29 July 2025
Adjective
-
In rare cases, EU countries may allow the customer to pay import VAT as a fallback, but this will only apply if explicitly permitted by the Member State—and only in exceptional situations.—
Aleksandra Bal,
Forbes.com,
20 July 2025
-
This botanical wonderland sits on quiet stretch of rare rocky Florida coastline.—
Kelsey Glennon,
Southern Living,
20 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Raw.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/raw. Accessed 2 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share