tough 1 of 2

1
as in brittle
not easily chewed her steak was so tough that she suggested the waiter use it as a hockey puck

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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tough

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noun

Synonym Chooser

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

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 tough
Adjective
Bridges finished with 10 points on 3-of-12 shooting from the field against his old team, and Anunoby scored 20 points on 8-of-18 shooting from the field to go with tough defense on Johnson, who shot an abysmal 6-of-20 from the field for 16 points. Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 22 Jan. 2025 Achieving the first two goals now seems possible, but the third—necessary for any long-term regional peace and stability—will be tougher to pull off. Gideon Rose, Foreign Affairs, 21 Jan. 2025
Noun
By the numbers Gary Klein’s prediction The NFC West rival Rams and the Seahawks always play each other tough. Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2023 Shots of Phoenix running from street toughs in his clown outfit are intercut with his social worker breaking up with him. Dan Brooks, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2019 See all Example Sentences for tough 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tough
Adjective
  • Companies that once minted money selling baby formula to feed a baby boom are now making shakes with calcium and selenium for older adults with brittle bones.
    Alexandra Stevenson, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Unlike what many American children have been taught in schools, astronauts don’t actually eat that stuff, partly because the brittle crumbs could fly everywhere in space.
    Regina Kim, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The insulation will keep you warm in below-zero temperatures, while the sturdy rubber soles will prevent you from slipping and sliding on icy terrain.
    Genevieve Cepeda, Travel + Leisure, 26 Jan. 2025
  • Loftin Hall itself, the former student dining hall where the museum is housed, is noteworthy on its own, with beautiful Mexican tiles and sturdy wooden beams.
    Pam LeBlanc, Southern Living, 26 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • So, if the Dodgers transition from the team that was unable to win it in a 162-game regular season to a dynasty similar to the Yankees dynasty, then the complaints of harsher regulations against the Dodgers may be warranted.
    Tyler Small, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
  • Avoid harsh or irritating products such as hydroxy acids (AHAs and BHAs) or retinoids.
    Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Simplifying Complexity Through Narratives Leaders often need to communicate complex strategies or concepts, which can be difficult for teams to fully grasp.
    Paola Cecchi-Dimeglio, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025
  • The emotional weight of losing that independence is difficult to quantify, but its impact is profound.
    John Hope Bryant, TIME, 18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Allergies acting up: Homeowners who are sensitive to dust, pollen, or animal hair may notice their allergies acting up before anything else.
    Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 18 Jan. 2025
  • During the 2024 presidential campaign, as Musk embraced the Republican Party and then Trump, his pro-China views brought him into conflict with parts of the MAGA coalition, including on the sensitive topic of immigration.
    John Hyatt, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • His remarkable physique is a testament to that strict regimen.
    The Athletic UK Staff, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
  • Ask what one thing matters most, hide your phone away, take everything outside, create strict boundaries, and make health your edge.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Although the new government seems willing to listen to Alawite concerns, there’s a lingering resentment, with many pointing to the community’s complicity in torture and war crimes — whether in the security services or gangs of thugs known as the shabiha — over the 14 years of the conflict.
    Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2025
  • There was a time, not long ago, when men who lifted weights for fun were seen as either thugs or narcissists.
    Danielle Friedman, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The earliest figures, naked and missing limbs, some suffering gouges or pocked with what look like the holes of beetle larvae, bring to mind eerie tales of automata or the leathery agonies of bog bodies.
    Peter Ross, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Apr. 2023
  • Making her first appearance on The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon, the up-and-comer chose a leathery dress made of dark maroon panels that left a cutout pattern along the side.
    Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 25 Jan. 2023

Thesaurus Entries Near tough

Cite this Entry

“Tough.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tough. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.

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