tough 1 of 2

adjective

ˈtəf How to pronounce tough (audio)
Definition of toughnext
1
as in chewy
not easily chewed her steak was so tough that she suggested the waiter use it as a hockey puck

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sturdy
able to withstand hardship, strain, or exposure this is a tough plant that easily withstands harsh winters

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3
as in harsh
difficult to endure tough weather conditions on the top of the mountain all year long

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort even if you study for it, it's still a tough exam

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5
as in sensitive
requiring exceptional skill or caution in performance or handling handled a tough situation with the aplomb and tact of a true diplomat

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6
as in strict
given to exacting standards of discipline and self-restraint a tough supervisor who docked the pay of anyone who punched in late, no matter what the reason

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tough

2 of 2

noun

as in bully
a violent, brutal person who is often a member of an organized gang didn't want her son hanging out with the neighborhood toughs

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How is the word tough different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of tough are stalwart, stout, strong, sturdy, and tenacious. While all these words mean "showing power to resist or to endure," tough implies great firmness and resiliency.

a tough political opponent

When can stalwart be used instead of tough?

The words stalwart and tough can be used in similar contexts, but stalwart suggests an unshakable dependability.

stalwart environmentalists

Where would stout be a reasonable alternative to tough?

The words stout and tough are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, stout suggests an ability to endure stress, pain, or hard use without giving way.

stout hiking boots

When could strong be used to replace tough?

The meanings of strong and tough largely overlap; however, strong may imply power derived from muscular vigor, large size, structural soundness, intellectual or spiritual resources.

strong arms
the defense has a strong case

When would sturdy be a good substitute for tough?

Although the words sturdy and tough have much in common, sturdy implies strength derived from vigorous growth, determination of spirit, solidity of construction.

a sturdy table
people of sturdy independence

When is tenacious a more appropriate choice than tough?

While in some cases nearly identical to tough, tenacious suggests strength in seizing, retaining, clinging to, or holding together.

tenacious farmers clinging to an age-old way of life

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 tough
Adjective
MacDonald agrees that some of Kiros' positions could put Democratic candidates in a tough spot. — Shaun Boyd, CBS News, 2 July 2026 Award-winning factual producer Proper Content is set to shutter amid tough market conditions. — K.j. Yossman, Variety, 2 July 2026
Noun
The gangland drama is deeper and darker than the domestic one, strengthened by the unexpected portrayal of the Russian toughs as bumbling in their own way. — Sheldon Pearce, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2026 In that version, the character is played by Joe Don Baker, the great character actor known for playing toughs in films like Walking Tall (1973) and Fletch (1985). — Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 5 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for tough
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tough
  1. leathery
  2. sturdy
  3. harsh
  4. difficult
  5. sensitive
  6. strict
  7. criminal
  8. hard
Adjective
  • Oleander is a summer stunner in USDA hardiness zones 8 and above with dozens of fragrant blooms set against dark green, leathery leaves.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 25 June 2026
  • The look embodied dark punk sensibility, with a monochrome black color scheme, leathery gloves and strapless, structured bodice, among other details.
    — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 24 June 2026
Definition of leathery
Adjective
  • Be sure to cover your head and neck with your arms, and crawl under a sturdy table if possible.
    — CA Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 6 July 2026
  • For your safety, move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 4 July 2026
Definition of sturdy
Adjective
  • White settlers and frontier pioneers built vast, fenceless cattle stations, battling harsh environments and disease, embracing a hard-living culture that exists to this day.
    — Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 5 July 2026
  • Dish Soap Using harsh chemicals on the outside of your toilet bowl and fixtures is not recommended, according to Meagher.
    — Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 4 July 2026
Definition of harsh
Adjective
  • Sarah Buck, Chicago Driving has become harder The rapid increase in bike lanes has made driving much more difficult and tedious, with numerous delays due to many streets being reduced to one lane in busy areas.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
  • Republican strategists have welcomed those nominations as an opening for attack in a difficult election year.
    — Susan Page, USA Today, 5 July 2026
Definition of difficult
Adjective
  • Rescuers then wait intently for any indication of life, using sensitive microphones or telescopic cameras or simply pressing an ear against the rubble, hoping to detect a voice, a knock or the faintest movement.
    — Fernanda Pesce, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
  • So far, the administration has sued multiple states unsuccessfully in attempts to obtain sensitive voter-roll data to run through a federal database known as the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements, or SAVE, program.
    — Hansi Lo Wang, NPR, 1 July 2026
Definition of sensitive
Adjective
  • Without stricter coordination, brightness limits, debris controls, disposal rules, and international capacity planning, the next space race could damage the orbital lanes on which modern life now depends.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 6 July 2026
  • Not a whole lot, admittedly, since there was reportedly a strict no-phone policy for guests (as well as event staff and security).
    — Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 6 July 2026
Definition of strict
Noun
  • Data that appears to be compliance information to a regulator can appear to be a target list to a criminal.
    — Susie Violet Ward, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • The Colorado attorney general oversees more than 700 attorneys and staff and manages legal manners spanning consumer protection, civil rights, criminal, water, constitutional and environmental law.
    — Jesse Sarles, CBS News, 1 July 2026
Definition of criminal
Adjective
  • Not long afterward, he was elected president on a platform deeply hostile to the West and its liberal ideology, and especially to the United States — threatening a hard fight in the event of war.
    — Xiaoqian Lin, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
  • That’s hard to imagine of a president who uses the office to promote and prosper from his own brand name.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Definition of hard

Phrases Containing tough

Browse Nearby Words

touchy-feely
tough
toughed it out
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Cite this Entry

“Tough.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tough. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on tough

Nglish: Translation of tough for Spanish Speakers

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