1
as in shaggy
covered with or as if with hair
a face rough with a couple days' worth of beard
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 uneven
not having a level or smooth surface
a rough board can give you splinters
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5
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort
a forensics expert who willingly takes on rough assignments
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6
as in tough
difficult to endure
I've had a rough time of it since I lost my job
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7
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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8
as in clumsy
hastily or roughly constructed
made a rough camp as darkness fell over the forest
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9
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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10
11
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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as in rowdy
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as in to chop
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rough
Dianna Russini, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
In the latest episode of New Heights, released Wednesday, February 26, Travis, 35, admitted to Jason, 37, that he's been going through a rough time since the Chiefs lost to the Philadelphia Eagles on February 9 — and listening to 35-year-old Swift's music has helped.
—Ross Rosenfeld, Newsweek, 26 Feb. 2025
Jill Newman, Robb Report, 18 Oct. 2023
Players will also encounter four-inch rough, which has been left to grow thickly undisturbed.
—Jim Owczarski, Journal Sentinel, 15 May 2023
Justin Gest, Newsweek, 20 Jan. 2025
His statistical case is unassailable, and the Bills’ one extra regular-season victory is hardly enough to swing the argument in Allen’s favor, especially since Jackson’s Ravens roughed the Bills up in their head-to-head matchup.
—Rohan Nadkarni, NBC News, 17 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rough
Adjective
The question now: What’s next, particularly after a rough two-year stint with the Jets?
—Dianna Russini, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
In the latest episode of New Heights, released Wednesday, February 26, Travis, 35, admitted to Jason, 37, that he's been going through a rough time since the Chiefs lost to the Philadelphia Eagles on February 9 — and listening to 35-year-old Swift's music has helped.
—Ross Rosenfeld, Newsweek, 26 Feb. 2025
Noun
That stone dates to 1878, when Charles Lewis Tiffany acquired the 287-carat rough that was unearthed in South Africa’s Kimberly mine, for a mere $18,000.
—Jill Newman, Robb Report, 18 Oct. 2023
Players will also encounter four-inch rough, which has been left to grow thickly undisturbed.
—Jim Owczarski, Journal Sentinel, 15 May 2023
Verb
Two key penalties—roughing the passer on Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. and unnecessary roughness on linebacker Henry To'oTo'o—became the focal points of the discussion.
—Justin Gest, Newsweek, 20 Jan. 2025
His statistical case is unassailable, and the Bills’ one extra regular-season victory is hardly enough to swing the argument in Allen’s favor, especially since Jackson’s Ravens roughed the Bills up in their head-to-head matchup.
—Rohan Nadkarni, NBC News, 17 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rough
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rough
Adjective
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Welles, a singer-songwriter with a shaggy, dirty-blond mane and a sandpapery voice, has risen to recent prominence posting videos to social media of himself alone in the woods near his home in northwest Arkansas, performing wryly funny, politically engaged folk songs.—
David Peisner,
New York Times,
12 Feb. 2025
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Average retail prices range from $215 to $495 for the line, which includes vibrant jackets with circular-type sleeves, miniskirts and a shaggy wool coat.—
Rosemary Feitelberg,
WWD,
10 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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According to a recent survey by the Pew Research Center, nearly three-quarters of those polled disapproved of Mr. Trump’s pardons for people convicted of violent crimes, and more than half disliked his pardons for even those convicted of nonviolent offenses.—
Meridith Kohut,
New York Times,
21 Feb. 2025
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While keeping their relationship a secret for professional reasons, an unexpected promotion unravels their fraught romance, fueling a violent competition between the duo.—
Samantha Bergeson,
IndieWire,
21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The 1999 killing Syed and Lee both attended Woodlawn High School and had dated, broken up, reunited and broken up again in a relationship an appeals court described as turbulent.—
Chloe Atkins,
NBC News,
27 Feb. 2025
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His childhood was turbulent—his parents' frequent fights sometimes turned physical, with his father directing his frustrations at young Gene.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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From an uneven college career to constantly being doubted in the league, Hurts has had to silence haters with his wins and believe in himself when others didn’t.—
Kathleen Newman-Bremang,
refinery29.com,
10 Feb. 2025
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And the uneven division of the Keith and Vera plotlines makes Köln 75 a movie without a narrative center.—
David Rooney,
The Hollywood Reporter,
16 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Stars of Durant’s stature can be notoriously difficult to pin down for interviews.—
Darnell Mayberry,
The Athletic,
23 Feb. 2025
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President Donald Trump seems to have found himself in a difficult position regarding Medicaid.—
Mark Joseph,
Newsweek,
23 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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This all adds up to a tough investment outlook for any business looking at Ukraine’s mineral supply.—
Energy Innovation: Policy and Technology,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
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How to Bet Timberwolves vs. Lakers Following up a game like Tuesday's would be tough for the Wolves under any circumstances, but with Edwards battling a calf injury and DiVincenzo potentially sidelined, beating the Lakers in L.A. will be that much more difficult.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Ashanti’s lithe voice perfectly complimented Ja’s gruff vocal tone, providing Murder Inc.—
Andre Gee,
Rolling Stone,
10 Feb. 2025
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The gruff men are Danny and Kyle McCray, an estranged father and son who’ve been reunited by a medical emergency.—
Elisabeth Egan,
New York Times,
14 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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What starts with a clumsy confession that threatened to derail their relationship altogether, ends with Mark and Helly closer than ever.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
21 Feb. 2025
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Take a deep breath because these claims form just one part of a clumsy web of viral content, in which Ronaldo, Messi and their children are part of the collateral.—
Adam Crafton,
The Athletic,
19 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to rough
Cite this Entry
“Rough.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rough. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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