RUGGED Synonyms: 507 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'rugged' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of rugged are harsh , rough , scabrous , and uneven . While all these words mean "not smooth or even," rugged implies irregularity or roughness of land surface and connotes difficulty of travel. // a rugged landscape

Q: When would 'harsh' be a good substitute for 'rugged'?

The meanings of harsh and rugged largely overlap; however, harsh implies a surface or texture distinctly unpleasant to the touch. // a harsh fabric that chafes the skin

Q: When might 'rough' be a better fit than 'rugged'?

The words rough and rugged are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, rough implies points, bristles, ridges, or projections on the surface. // a rough wooden board

Q: When can 'scabrous' be used instead of 'rugged'?

The synonyms scabrous and rugged are sometimes interchangeable, but scabrous implies scaliness or prickliness of surface. // a scabrous leaf

Q: When is it sensible to use 'uneven' instead of 'rugged'?

While the synonyms uneven and rugged are close in meaning, uneven implies a lack of uniformity in height, breadth, or quality. // an old house with uneven floors

rugged

adjective

ˈrə-gəd

Definition of rugged next

as in sturdy

able to withstand hardship, strain, or exposure a rugged construction that survived for hundreds of years

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in tough

difficult to endure the incredibly rugged conditions that the polar explorers faced

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as in gruff

harsh and threatening in manner or appearance the warrior's rugged features frightened the child

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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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as in jagged

not having a level or smooth surface rugged terrain that made for slow going

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as in difficult

requiring considerable physical or mental effort even more rugged than most ultramarathons, this one crosses a desert

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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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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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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective rugged contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of rugged are harsh, rough, scabrous, and uneven. While all these words mean "not smooth or even," rugged implies irregularity or roughness of land surface and connotes difficulty of travel.

a rugged landscape

When would harsh be a good substitute for rugged?

The meanings of harsh and rugged largely overlap; however, harsh implies a surface or texture distinctly unpleasant to the touch.

a harsh fabric that chafes the skin

When might rough be a better fit than rugged?

The words rough and rugged are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, rough implies points, bristles, ridges, or projections on the surface.

a rough wooden board

When can scabrous be used instead of rugged?

The synonyms scabrous and rugged are sometimes interchangeable, but scabrous implies scaliness or prickliness of surface.

a scabrous leaf

When is it sensible to use uneven instead of rugged?

While the synonyms uneven and rugged are close in meaning, uneven implies a lack of uniformity in height, breadth, or quality.

an old house with uneven floors

Examples 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 rugged LTVs will be critical for transporting astronauts, equipment and scientific tools across the rugged lunar terrain. —

Andy Biggs, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024 But that’s been part of the overall pattern for the rugged forward this season. —

Fluto Shinzawa, The Athletic, 22 Dec. 2024 Cool Contrast Add an extra ounce of edge to a babydoll mini and heels by incorporating a rugged (but still polished) leather jacket. —

Christina Holevas, Vogue, 17 Dec. 2024 Both wind and solar tend to take up more space than other forms of power generation, a problem given that space is something Taiwan, a rugged island roughly the size of Maryland, doesn’t have a lot of. —

Joshua Keating, Vox, 16 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for rugged

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rugged

Adjective

Others complimented the easy assembly and sturdy structure.

Madison Yauger, People.com, 26 Dec. 2024
Make sure your family is prepared for time outdoors with waterproof gloves, winter coats, warm hats, scarves, sturdy boots, and insulating base layers.

Erica Jackson Curran, Parents, 25 Dec. 2024