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
The hillier or more rugged the terrain, the lower your range.
—
Maggie Slepian, Travel + Leisure, 11 Feb. 2025
However, one of the biggest barriers to adopting robots in these industries is the challenge of navigating the rugged terrain found in these environments.
—IEEE Spectrum, 7 Feb. 2025
And while there’s a forcefully rugged menace to Öhrman’s performance, Teodor’s inner life is ever more locked behind a glazed, hollow stare.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 8 Feb. 2025
Catherine Heald swears by a rugged, nylon satchel from TUMI that weighs barely half a pound.
—Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 7 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rugged
Maggie Slepian, Travel + Leisure, 11 Feb. 2025
However, one of the biggest barriers to adopting robots in these industries is the challenge of navigating the rugged terrain found in these environments.
—IEEE Spectrum, 7 Feb. 2025
And while there’s a forcefully rugged menace to Öhrman’s performance, Teodor’s inner life is ever more locked behind a glazed, hollow stare.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 8 Feb. 2025
Catherine Heald swears by a rugged, nylon satchel from TUMI that weighs barely half a pound.
—Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 7 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rugged
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rugged
Adjective
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Potassium helps produce sturdy plants and increases plants’ resistance to stress but overapplication of potassium (and too much of any nutrient) can cause other necessary nutrients to become unavailable to the plant.—
Rita Perwich,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 Mar. 2025
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As professional travelers, pilots and flight attendants have an eye for high-quality and sturdy luggage.—
Rylee Johnston,
Travel + Leisure,
28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Ties during Trump’s first term One of the hallmarks of the first Trump Administration was a tougher stance towards China compared to his predecessors, through tit-for-tat tariffs and an Indo-Pacific strategy that aimed to curb Beijing’s growing influence in the Western Pacific.—
Chad de Guzman,
TIME,
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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Lenovo's muscular portable is built tough as nails and boasts some impressive components.—
K. Thor Jensen,
PCMAG,
25 Feb. 2025
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This type of muscle engagement helps build strength and increase muscular endurance.—
Amber Sayer,
Outside Online,
24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The image teases both the film’s narrative developments and its jagged formal approach, as the director (who shares editing duties with both co-writer Karen Plata and DP Odei Zabaleta) aims to structurally replicate the non-linear disorder and occasional blind spots of ruptured childhood memories.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
26 Feb. 2025
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Located on the historic Santa Barbara plantation, the jagged limestone peak is accessible at four different points with routes up to 164 feet high (50 meters), depending on your athletic ability.—
Curaçao Tourist Board,
AFAR Media,
26 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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But breaking with Russian gas has been difficult for Austria, which until recently was one of a handful of European countries to keep importing the fuel by pipeline.—
Stanley Reed,
New York Times,
23 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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For climate advocates, Forrest citing his mining company’s financial performance might sound a bit crass coming from a billionaire who hops around the world on a private plane.—
Justin Worland,
TIME,
25 Feb. 2025
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Ak — who was previously accused of rape — was immediately faced with accusations of grooming, later admitting to his crass behavior.—
Jessica Bennett,
VIBE.com,
27 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rugged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rugged. Accessed 6 Mar. 2025.
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