TOUGH Synonyms: 378 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

tough 1 of 2

adjective

ˈtəf

Definition of tough next

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in sturdy

able to withstand hardship, strain, or exposure this is a tough plant that easily withstands harsh winters

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in harsh

difficult to endure tough weather conditions on the top of the mountain all year long

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in difficult

requiring considerable physical or mental effort even if you study for it, it's still a tough exam

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

tough

2 of 2

noun

as in thug

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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