Definition of rudenext
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as in crude
being such as found in nature and not altered by processing or refining rude pelts that were sent to Europe to be fashioned into elegant hats and coats

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective rude differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of rude are crude, raw, and rough. While all these words mean "lacking in social refinement," rude implies ignorance of or indifference to good form; it may suggest intentional discourtesy.

rude behavior

Where would crude be a reasonable alternative to rude?

The words crude and rude are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, crude may apply to thought or behavior limited to the gross, the obvious, or the primitive.

a crude joke

When would raw be a good substitute for rude?

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

turning raw youths into polished performers

When is rough a more appropriate choice than rude?

The synonyms rough and rude are sometimes interchangeable, but rough is likely to stress lack of polish and gentleness.

rough manners

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 rude And why is the Muslim owner of the local hardware store so rude to the openly gay committee member Brooks (Carl Clemons-Hopkins)? Greg Evans, Deadline, 21 Apr. 2026 It was designed as fake shade to Stiller, but that does feel rude to some of De Niro’s other former co-stars. Bethy Squires, Vulture, 16 Apr. 2026 According to the findings, 65% of respondents do not like phone use during meals, and 42% believe using phones during meals is rude. Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 15 Apr. 2026 And 42% believe using phones during meals is rude. Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rude
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rude
Adjective
  • Desmon Yancy, 5th, called the Cottage Grove Avenue store closure disrespectful to the community.
    Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
  • Any team with Anthony Edwards on it will have some swagger, but this almost feels like the T-Wolves are being disrespectful to this challenger.
    David Troy, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Our hands soon became insensitive, clumsy hooks.
    Jim Hoagland, Outdoor Life, 30 Apr. 2026
  • The production is a revival of the disappointingly fussy, clumsy, old-fashioned one by Lee Blakeley the company unveiled in 2013 for Conlon and to celebrate the Verdi bicentennial.
    Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • This was a time when roads were primitive, and the need was to link cities with rural areas.
    DP Opinion, Denver Post, 25 Apr. 2026
  • Any set of prime numbers is automatically primitive, because primes have no factors (except themselves and the number one).
    Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Plastic trinkets and graffiti, television sets and bumper stickers, road signs and wigs—many might describe these items as disposable culture, signs of America’s crass habit of regarding anything as art.
    Hua Hsu, The Atlantic, 28 Apr. 2026
  • Alas, Deborah’s crass attempt to extort her fans immediately goes sideways.
    Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • When the Western Roman Empire fell in the fifth century C.E., Europe was plunged into chaos as barbarian Germanic forces advanced south—or so the story goes.
    Emma Gometz, Scientific American, 29 Apr. 2026
  • Ashley Johnson and star/executive producer Travis Willingham tee up what's coming for their soft barbarian lady.
    Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • But even for someone like myself, totally ignorant to the lore and not really seeking to change that, the Star Wars universe can look genuinely interesting, and some games every now and then manage to tap into that potential.
    Adam Ismail, The Drive, 30 Apr. 2026
  • Jahmil Eady – Freaky As gentrifiers take over her neighborhood, a Gullah Geechee woman, Annabelle (Melanie Nicholls-King) calls on ancestral knowledge, which has dire consequences for the newcomers who have begun to take over the land, ignorant of its history.
    Richard Newby, HollywoodReporter, 27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Some do this flippantly, but reader Robin suggested drivers who do this do not care and are flat-out discourteous.
    Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 11 Jan. 2026
  • In 2014, he was found to have been discourteous and used force.
    Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Rotifers, though microscopic, possess specialized systems such as digestive tracts and rudimentary nervous structures, making their long-term survival in a frozen state particularly notable.
    Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2026
  • His pieces include solid wood chairs with a deliberately rudimentary, almost minimal design, integrating ornamental elements such as marquetry panels or tin bas-reliefs into their backs, legs or seats.
    Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 20 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Rude.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rude. Accessed 6 May. 2026.

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