1
as in sturdy
able to withstand hardship, strain, or exposure
a rugged construction that survived for hundreds of years
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2
as in tough
difficult to endure
the incredibly rugged conditions that the polar explorers faced
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3
as in gruff
harsh and threatening in manner or appearance
the warrior's rugged features frightened the child
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4
as in muscular
having muscles capable of exerting great physical force
a rugged athlete who's competing in weight lifting in the Olympics
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5
as in jagged
not having a level or smooth surface
rugged terrain that made for slow going
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6
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort
even more rugged than most ultramarathons, this one crosses a desert
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7
as in turbulent
marked by turmoil or disturbance especially of natural elements
New Hampshire's Mount Washington has some of the ruggedest weather in all of North America
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8
as in crass
lacking in refinement or good taste
the kind of rugged humor that men have traditionally enjoyed at stag parties
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rugged
Her 12-day flight included crossing the rugged Ural Mountains and desolate Siberian wastes, while navigating with only a map and compass.
—
Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 6 June 2025
The capture of the fugitive came after authorities focused their search in the rugged, remote terrain surrounding the prison grounds.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten , Brooke Taylor, FOXNews.com, 6 June 2025
Groups were scaling the 30-foot steel border fence with rope ladders, or crawling through gaps sawed into the old steel mesh fencing, hundreds of people a day in a 20-mile stretch starting at the rugged mountainside of Mt. Cristo Rey.
—Lauren Villagran, USA Today, 26 May 2025
After a rugged childhood without electricity or indoor plumbing, Robertson earned a football scholarship to Louisiana Tech University.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 26 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for rugged
Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 6 June 2025
The capture of the fugitive came after authorities focused their search in the rugged, remote terrain surrounding the prison grounds.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten , Brooke Taylor, FOXNews.com, 6 June 2025
Groups were scaling the 30-foot steel border fence with rope ladders, or crawling through gaps sawed into the old steel mesh fencing, hundreds of people a day in a 20-mile stretch starting at the rugged mountainside of Mt. Cristo Rey.
—Lauren Villagran, USA Today, 26 May 2025
After a rugged childhood without electricity or indoor plumbing, Robertson earned a football scholarship to Louisiana Tech University.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 26 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for rugged
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rugged
Adjective
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Yet while hiring generally has slowed, other economists figured job growth remained sturdy last month as companies frustrated by labor shortages during the pandemic continued to curtail layoffs.—
Paul Davidson,
USA Today,
7 June 2025
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Uwharrie National Forest About 1 hour and 15 minutes from Charlotte Pack sunscreen, bug spray, sturdy walking shoes, and lots of water and snacks for a day trip to Uwharrie National Forest—one of four national forests in North Carolina—and the Badin Lake Recreation Area.—
Lydia Mansel,
Southern Living,
7 June 2025
Adjective
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The vote took place against an increasingly violent backlash to the Trump administration's tough immigration policies.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 June 2025
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In Mind For startups, achieving more with less can be tough.—
John Hall,
Forbes.com,
15 June 2025
Adjective
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While Hornets fans were not as gruff as New York Knicks or Boston Celtics supporters, Charlotte pro basketball fans were among the leaders who posted a specific swear word.—
Kendrick Marshall,
Charlotte Observer,
6 June 2025
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Paul is lovable but gruff, while Jimmy is lost and a bit broken after having lost his wife in a drunk driving accident.—
Hedy Phillips,
People.com,
2 May 2025
Adjective
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Maintaining optimal levels can help with cognitive and muscular function, as well as hydration levels and fatigue.—
Morgan Fargo,
Vogue,
4 June 2025
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In this muscular but graceful performance, Torres shows us what resistance truly means.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
4 June 2025
Adjective
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May 31, 2025 The jagged ridges in the green mountains above Spruce Pine look strange at first, as if they were scratched into the surface by giant claws.—
Mike Belleme,
New York Times,
31 May 2025
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Especially when exploring all the jagged edges can be as delicious as it has been executed in Sirens.—
Rachel Elspeth Gross,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2025
Adjective
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No matter how sweet, the little crocodile grows bigger and more difficult to care for.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
10 June 2025
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Despite her risky gambit, Metcalfe, who is studying to be an attorney at the University of Law in Manchester, England, admits that her sport has helped her through some of the most difficult times of her life.—
Andy Frye,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
Adjective
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The capsizing was believed to have been caused by turbulent waters from heavy recent rains.—
Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports,
Arkansas Online,
13 June 2025
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The spike in geomagnetic activity is driven primarily by a co-rotating interaction region (CIR) — a turbulent region in the solar wind in which fast-moving streams collide with slower wind ahead of them.—
Daisy Dobrijevic,
Space.com,
12 June 2025
Adjective
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But beyond the crass remarks about Read, experts say less explosive messages about Proctor's early opinions of the investigation could be damning.—
Julia Bonavita , Michael Ruiz,
FOXNews.com,
3 June 2025
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What keeps these series from coming off as crass is the genuine camaraderie that connects their characters and shelters them, to some extent, from the precariousness of their lives.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
22 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rugged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rugged. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
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