1
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
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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
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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
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5
as in chilling
uncomfortably cool
evenings in those mountains, even during the summer, tend to be a little raw
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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
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7
as in rampant
showing no signs of being under control
a frightening display of raw anger
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8
as in naked
lacking or shed of clothing
a pristine stretch of sand where beachgoers commonly sunbathe raw
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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
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Recent Examples of raw
Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2026
The production is raw but precise, a mechanical bull with adjustable shocks.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 13 Feb. 2026
Marley Dewey, The Conversation, 16 May 2025
These ones turn out amazing—topped with sugar in the raw.
—Bon Appétit Contributor, Bon Appétit, 22 Mar. 2024
See All Example Sentences for raw
Adjective
The restaurant was in violation of 12 standards, including raw beef left unattended and food stored on the floor.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2026
The production is raw but precise, a mechanical bull with adjustable shocks.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 13 Feb. 2026
Noun
If ingested raw, pathogens may remain on the surface of the placenta.
—Marley Dewey, The Conversation, 16 May 2025
These ones turn out amazing—topped with sugar in the raw.
—Bon Appétit Contributor, Bon Appétit, 22 Mar. 2024
See All Example Sentences for raw
Recent Examples of Synonyms for raw
Adjective
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Researchers warn that bamboo shoots should never be eaten uncooked.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
24 Jan. 2026
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Rinsing the uncooked rice under cold water removes the excess surface starch and ensures that your rice cooks up fluffy, not gummy.—
Robin Miller,
AZCentral.com,
15 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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All of Quigley’s challengers are politically inexperienced but impassioned Democrats running to the incumbent’s left.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The most common complaints include denying legitimate claims, partnering with inexperienced and unqualified service providers, poor service, and slow response times.—
Sharon Brandwein,
USA Today,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The faces of those women represented an unbroken chain of those who survived turbulent histories before me.—
Lara N. Dotson-Renta,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
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This is something that is common around young stars that have turbulent and violent environments, but is uncommon for stars as old as ASASSN-24fw, estimated to be around 1 billion years old.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The second feature from Finnish director Bergolm and shot in Lithuania, the chilling supernatural horror follows a couple, Saga (Seida Haarla) and Jon (Grint), who move to an isolated house in the forest.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2026
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The biggest break in the case came earlier this week, when chilling video from her porch was recovered and showed a suspect approaching her home during the window when authorities say she was likely taken.—
Liz Kreutz,
NBC news,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The Chill Factor Perhaps the most biting statistic of the season so far is the temperature.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
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Morbidly Jewish finds Raanan at his most biting, acerbic, angry, Jewish, and, as always…loud.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
5 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Croatia dropped the kuna in 2023, and the change was met with widespread stories about rampant inflation — perhaps explaining other countries’ reluctance — although the European Central Bank said that price rises continued on existing trends.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
5 Feb. 2026
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During Operation Midway Blitz last fall, unprovoked violence by CBP and ICE was rampant — and often captured on video.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The model posed in her own 2026 version of Carrie Bradshaw’s naked dress, which featured the same scoop neckline, thigh-grazing length, and minimalist spaghetti straps that the Sex and the City heroine memorably wore for her first date with Big.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
10 Feb. 2026
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Her body wasn’t found for more than two weeks when fishermen discovered a naked woman in the river 4 miles downstream from where she was last seen.—
Kevin Fixler,
Idaho Statesman,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The finale, which focuses on a single subject (obsessed with and thus defensive of his own public nudity), comes closest to escaping a steady stream of antagonization and painting a nuanced portrait of what’s keeping a range of Americans from finding community.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
13 Feb. 2026
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For her, public nudity and bold fashion are intentional performance art pieces, not the shocking publicity stunts or exploitation her art has been accused of being.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Raw.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/raw. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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