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
Port Royal is Jamaica's second World Heritage Site, with the first being the Blue and John Crow Mountains, a rugged and forested area in the country's east, which served as a refuge and hideout for people fleeing slavery.
—
Zach Wichter, USA Today, 23 July 2025
Instead of windswept fields and rugged, snowy mountains, the region’s lush, subtropical conditions of 76 million years ago provided ample resources for both terrestrial and flying dinosaurs.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 23 July 2025
Monument Valley Rising to 1,000 feet above the rugged desert landscape, the majestic sandstone buttes of Monument Valley anchor a dramatic scenic vista.
—Michael Salerno, AZCentral.com, 22 July 2025
Outdoor Enthusiasts: The RAV4’s available all wheel drive and rugged design, particularly in Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims, attract those who enjoy outdoor activities like camping, hiking, and both water and snow skiing.
—Tony Leopardo, Mercury News, 13 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for rugged
Zach Wichter, USA Today, 23 July 2025
Instead of windswept fields and rugged, snowy mountains, the region’s lush, subtropical conditions of 76 million years ago provided ample resources for both terrestrial and flying dinosaurs.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 23 July 2025
Monument Valley Rising to 1,000 feet above the rugged desert landscape, the majestic sandstone buttes of Monument Valley anchor a dramatic scenic vista.
—Michael Salerno, AZCentral.com, 22 July 2025
Outdoor Enthusiasts: The RAV4’s available all wheel drive and rugged design, particularly in Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims, attract those who enjoy outdoor activities like camping, hiking, and both water and snow skiing.
—Tony Leopardo, Mercury News, 13 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for rugged
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rugged
Adjective
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That’s where Baker and his team got the idea to find the sturdiest survivors and interbreed them with their Florida siblings.—
Alex Harris
July 25,
Miami Herald,
25 July 2025
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The puppeteers then worked from the artist’s sculptures to make sturdier marionettes for performance.—
Ben Miller Laetitia Vançon,
New York Times,
24 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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Stage eight on Saturday will mark the start of a tough weekend of reckoning for the GC riders in the mountains to conclude the Tour.—
Jessica Hopkins,
New York Times,
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
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Who leaves us echoes — gruff, brilliant, unrepeatable — half legend, half lullaby.—
Lauren Huff,
EW.com,
11 July 2025
Adjective
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Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers this week continued tests of a possible alternative countermeasure to muscular atrophy.—
Robert Z. Pearlman,
Space.com,
1 Aug. 2025
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The Aston Martin Formula One team has confirmed that Fernando Alonso will not be taking part in the Hungarian Grand Prix Free Practice 1 session due to a muscular injury in his back.—
Saajan Jogia,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The vastness of the canyon, with its jagged edges and rushing rivers.—
Shelby Slade,
AZCentral.com,
16 July 2025
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Major stock indexes continued their jagged descent downward in morning trading Tuesday after tumbling Monday.—
Tobias Burns,
The Hill,
9 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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So, too, was Torres, who made visitations with their son difficult.—
Tatiana Siegel,
Variety,
29 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
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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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California can lead the nation in fighting back against their crass & selfish strategy to undermine democracy.—
Andrew Stanton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 July 2025
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To celebrate the unearned good fortune of those privileges felt as crass in its way as praising the life-changing effects of a winning lottery ticket.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rugged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rugged. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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