1
as in uneven
not having a level or smooth surface
a rough board can give you splinters
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2
as in violent
marked by bursts of destructive force or intense activity
rough waters that made sailing our sloop a little risky
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3
as in turbulent
marked by wet and windy conditions
at least wear a raincoat if you're going out into that rough weather
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4
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort
a forensics expert who willingly takes on rough assignments
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5
as in harsh
difficult to endure
I've had a rough time of it since I lost my job
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6
as in gruff
harsh and threatening in manner or appearance
the rough faces of hardened criminals who had spent most of their lives behind bars
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7
as in clumsy
hastily or roughly constructed
made a rough camp as darkness fell over the forest
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8
as in vulgar
lacking in refinement or good taste
he learned polite words to replace the rough language he had known growing up
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9
as in shaggy
covered with or as if with hair
a face rough with a couple days' worth of beard
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10
11
12
as in wild
marked by turmoil or disturbance especially of natural elements
after a rough week on the high seas, we were happy to sail through the gulf's more tranquil waters
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in tough
Related Words
as in to chop
Related Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of rough
Troy Finnegan, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 June 2025
They’re cut to fit from a single rough, one at a time.
—Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 27 Oct. 2024
Eric Stephens, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025
Officials called the first penalty against the Texans’ Will Anderson Jr. for roughing the passer when Anderson’s helmet made contact with Mahomes in the first quarter.
—Jenna West, The Athletic, 23 Jan. 2025
Michelle Cruz, AZCentral.com, 1 Aug. 2025
That permission means investors might stick with you through a rough quarter.
—Cody Slach, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rough
Adjective
Players were struggling to chip the ball to the green from the greenside rough all afternoon.
—Troy Finnegan, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 June 2025
They’re cut to fit from a single rough, one at a time.
—Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 27 Oct. 2024
Noun
Adam Henrique roughed him up, while Janmark and Podkolzin both dealt out slashes that were penalized.
—Eric Stephens, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025
Officials called the first penalty against the Texans’ Will Anderson Jr. for roughing the passer when Anderson’s helmet made contact with Mahomes in the first quarter.
—Jenna West, The Athletic, 23 Jan. 2025
Verb
Extreme fire weather ― characterized by low humidity, wind gusts and heat ― and rough terrain continued to challenge fire crews, which have achieved 9% containment.
—Michelle Cruz, AZCentral.com, 1 Aug. 2025
That permission means investors might stick with you through a rough quarter.
—Cody Slach, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rough
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rough
Adjective
-
Long runs over uneven, rocky trail comes with its share of foot issues, but few sacrifices are greater than those poor keratin creatures attached to your precious foot fingers.—
Kade Krichko,
Outside Online,
22 July 2025
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Amid economic volatility and rapid technological change, access to financial planning remains deeply uneven.—
Matt Watson,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
Adjective
-
The two got married, had a baby, and started a quiet life together far away from his violent past.—
Allison DeGrushe Published,
EW.com,
14 July 2025
-
As droves of tourists continue to flock to Spain for European summer vacations, the nation’s emergency responders are dealing with the aftermath of a violent wave of flash flooding in nearly half of the country’s 50 provinces.—
Opheli Garcia Lawler,
Travel + Leisure,
14 July 2025
Adjective
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Flying across the country alone with my infant was far less turbulent with the right preparation.—
Melissa Willets,
Parents,
1 Aug. 2025
-
For Michelle, 28, knowing her long-term relationship was over—one that had started with a DM, spanned four years, and was turbulent in the way that made letting go feel impossible—came down to seeing him with someone else…in a video watched by over a million people.—
Morgan Sullivan,
Vogue,
31 July 2025
Adjective
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Some students may face family challenges that affect their ability to get to school, and some changes to the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness test, such as its move to online instead of paper form, could be difficult for students who only access computers at school, Maldonado said.—
Keri Heath,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
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Diseases that are difficult to manage without early intervention, including diabetes, heart disease and cancer, place a significant burden on health care budgets and patient quality of life.—
Kim Praitano,
Sun Sentinel,
29 July 2025
Adjective
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Lamont, who had proposed boosting special education aid by $40 million — but not until July 2026 — countered that the state budget already was on pace to exceed the budget cap and that legislators needed to make tough choices and trim spending.—
Keith M. Phaneuf,
Hartford Courant,
2 Aug. 2025
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Linde on Friday reported better-than-expected quarterly results Thursday, showcasing what the industrial gas giant does best when times get tough.—
Zev Fima,
CNBC,
1 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Bill Pogue’s family and friends knew him as a thoughtful, deeply sensitive man, despite his reputation as a gruff, stern, wildlife officer.—
Jim Zumbo,
Outdoor Life,
17 July 2025
-
Who leaves us echoes — gruff, brilliant, unrepeatable — half legend, half lullaby.—
Lauren Huff,
EW.com,
11 July 2025
Adjective
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Dream plays are difficult to execute—whimsy is easily crushed by clumsy handling.—
Helen Shaw,
New Yorker,
25 July 2025
-
Despite a clumsy apology tour, Hogan was never able to completely shake his darkest moment.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
24 July 2025
Adjective
-
By The Athletic’s count, over nine innings during the Yankees’ 6-2 win over the Mets, those fans aimed the same vulgar chant at Soto a whopping 38 times.—
Will Sammon,
New York Times,
17 May 2025
-
Because at the time, Madonna was seen as this controversial and sort of vulgar character.—
Terry Gross,
NPR,
17 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rough.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rough. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
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