rough 1 of 3

adjective

ˈrəf How to pronounce rough (audio)
Definition of roughnext
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 tough
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
as in hairy
made of or resembling hair a rough-coated dog who was always shedding his fur

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11
as in bumpy
marked by a series of sharp quick motions a rough flight that left some passengers nauseated

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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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rough

2 of 3

noun

as in rowdy

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rough

3 of 3

verb

as in to chop

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective rough contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of rough are harsh, rugged, scabrous, and uneven. While all these words mean "not smooth or even," rough implies points, bristles, ridges, or projections on the surface.

a rough wooden board

In what contexts can harsh take the place of rough?

While in some cases nearly identical to rough, harsh implies a surface or texture distinctly unpleasant to the touch.

a harsh fabric that chafes the skin

When is rugged a more appropriate choice than rough?

In some situations, the words rugged and rough are roughly equivalent. However, rugged implies irregularity or roughness of land surface and connotes difficulty of travel.

a rugged landscape

Where would scabrous be a reasonable alternative to rough?

Although the words scabrous and rough have much in common, scabrous implies scaliness or prickliness of surface.

a scabrous leaf

When might uneven be a better fit than rough?

The meanings of uneven and rough largely overlap; however, uneven implies a lack of uniformity in height, breadth, or quality.

an old house with uneven floors

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 rough
Adjective
By a rough estimate, there are more than two dozen visible strands. — Michael Ruiz , Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 29 July 2026 Ripe cantaloupes should have a slightly sweet smell at the stem end and a rough beige or golden rind. — Anthea Levi, Health, 28 July 2026
Noun
Kim hit her second shot into the left rough on the par-14 13th, and wound up sliding a 10-foot putt to the right for bogey. — Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 8 June 2026 Cole getting a huge break after his ball somehow bounced through the left rough before settling on the edge of the short grass. — CBS News, 31 May 2026
Verb
Her selection enraged Iran’s hard-line Shiite theocracy, which increased her prison time and later sent guards to rough her up along with other prisoners who were protesting inside Evin Prison. — ABC News, 1 May 2026 This gorgeous camp on the edge of the Tibetan Plateau brings you back to nomad-style basics, without roughing it. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rough
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rough
  1. uneven
  2. violent
  3. turbulent
  4. difficult
  5. tough
  6. gruff
  7. clumsy
  8. vulgar
Adjective
  • The First Circuit's decision applies only to the 23 states that sued over the executive order, possibly creating an uneven legal landscape between red and blue states.
    — Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 26 July 2026
  • That Seigler homer started a run of uneven outings for Minter, who allowed another two-run homer on Friday night to Kyle Tucker.
    — Tim Britton, New York Times, 25 July 2026
Definition of uneven
Adjective
  • Firefighters in Spain admitted the fires were so fast and violent that they could not be tackled head on.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 July 2026
  • Because of his previous felonies, though none for violent crimes, Pfister could now be defined as a habitual offender under Michigan law and faces prison.
    — Kyung Lah, CNN Money, 25 July 2026
Definition of violent
Adjective
  • Eric McAlister’s leadership for Alamo Bowl McAlister worked hard to distance himself from that turbulent year and emerged as one of TCU’s most important leaders last season.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 July 2026
  • People reach for these tools when markets turn turbulent, which is when automated discipline helps most and a panicked move costs most.
    — Pawan Jain, The Conversation, 29 July 2026
Definition of turbulent
Adjective
  • Strickland said even getting equipment on the road during construction can be difficult for farmers.
    — Maven Navarro, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 July 2026
  • While following the money may be difficult, there are other signs of the growing role of organized crime in politics.
    — Mary Beth Sheridan, CNN Money, 25 July 2026
Definition of difficult
Adjective
  • The city's local Democratic lawmakers claim that the tough-on-crime policies only temporarily reduced crime while troop presence was at its peak.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 31 July 2026
  • Lopez and multiple bullpen arms got out of tough jams to limit the Red Sox 16 baserunners across the first nine innings to just two runs, only one earned.
    — Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 30 July 2026
Definition of tough
Adjective
  • Matt Damon plays Odysseus as a gruff, practical tactician, rather than an energetically inventive and morally dubious schemer.
    — Caroline Mimbs Nyce, New Yorker, 17 July 2026
  • The New Zealander drew international acclaim for roles as gruff loners and unhinged villains.
    — Harrison Smith, Washington Post, 13 July 2026
Definition of gruff
Adjective
  • The other, in quite clumsy English, requested a very careful renovation of Ingmar Bergman’s house on the island of Fårö, in Sweden.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 July 2026
  • He was saved by the presence nearby of Lisandro Martinez, but the challenge was so unorthodox, clumsy and deliberate that many referees would have cautioned the defender.
    — Jack Lang, New York Times, 19 July 2026
Definition of clumsy
Adjective
  • Lonnie is loud, obnoxious, and vulgar in ways that rankle traditional golfers.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 16 July 2026
  • Suki, a vocal Black woman with an at times vulgar persona, whereas Althoff, a white woman, gained a reputation as an awkward, seemingly timid interviewer on her The Really Good Podcast.
    — Meagan Jordan, VIBE.com, 10 July 2026
Definition of vulgar

Phrases Containing rough

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rouges
rough
rough-and-ready
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Cite this Entry

“Rough.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rough. Accessed 31 Jul. 2026.

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