raw 1 of 2

Definition of rawnext
1
as in uncooked
not cooked you should wash your hands after handling raw chicken

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in crude
being such as found in nature and not altered by processing or refining raw sugar is honey-colored because the crystals retain cane juices, minerals, and other impurities that haven't been refined out

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
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6
as in biting
causing intense discomfort to one's skin bundle up if you're going sailing, as there's a raw wind out there in the bay

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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raw

2 of 2

noun

as in nudity
the state of having no clothes on one's body a secluded swimming hole where we could swim in the raw

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective raw differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of raw are crude, rough, and rude. While all these words mean "lacking in social refinement," raw suggests being untested, inexperienced, or unfinished.

turning raw youths into polished performers

When might crude be a better fit than raw?

The words crude and raw can be used in similar contexts, but crude may apply to thought or behavior limited to the gross, the obvious, or the primitive.

a crude joke

When could rough be used to replace raw?

The meanings of rough and raw largely overlap; however, rough is likely to stress lack of polish and gentleness.

rough manners

When is rude a more appropriate choice than raw?

The words rude and raw are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, rude implies ignorance of or indifference to good form; it may suggest intentional discourtesy.

rude behavior

Example 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 raw
Adjective
The restaurant was in violation of 25 standards, including raw chicken stored over ready-to-eat foods and food stored on the floor. Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 23 Jan. 2026 Sending all that raw data to a central site or the cloud is expensive and often unnecessary. Chhandomay Mandal, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Noun
If ingested raw, pathogens may remain on the surface of the placenta. Marley Dewey, The Conversation, 16 May 2025 These ones turn out amazing—topped with sugar in the raw. Bon Appétit Contributor, Bon Appétit, 22 Mar. 2024 See All Example Sentences for raw
Recent Examples of Synonyms for raw
Adjective
  • Researchers warn that bamboo shoots should never be eaten uncooked.
    Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 24 Jan. 2026
  • Rinsing the uncooked rice under cold water removes the excess surface starch and ensures that your rice cooks up fluffy, not gummy.
    Robin Miller, AZCentral.com, 15 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Older, more experienced players — like Indiana’s fleet of 24-year olds — are usually better than younger, inexperienced ones, especially in this age of the transfer portal.
    Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2026
  • Tech Hamiltonians and Silicon Valley enthusiasts are often inexperienced in the ways of government and unaccustomed to the compromise and diplomacy that successful policy implementation often requires.
    Walter Russell Mead, The Atlantic, 24 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Governors in more than a dozen states sounded the alarm about the turbulent weather ahead, declaring emergencies or urging people to stay home.
    Dallas Morning News, Dallas Morning News, 24 Jan. 2026
  • Recent times have been turbulent.
    Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • For instance under the relax are specific recordings for recharging, chilling, unwinding, destressing and traveling.
    Scott Kramer, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
  • When the characters occasionally look at the camera, the effect is chilling, briefly but powerfully bridging the distance between then and now, them and us.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • The Chill Factor Perhaps the most biting statistic of the season so far is the temperature.
    CBS News, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
  • Morbidly Jewish finds Raanan at his most biting, acerbic, angry, Jewish, and, as always…loud.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 5 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • This rises to 73% of those in tech roles, where layoffs have been most rampant.
    Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 29 Jan. 2026
  • Given rampant grade inflation, an internship can be the most important differentiator for recent graduate hiring.
    Brandon Busteed, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • The naked man put up a good fight, but was overpowered and brought to the Arend, Roggeveen’s flagship.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026
  • Inconsistent performances and an absence of clarity to the naked eye in the style of play are fair criticisms.
    Andy Naylor, New York Times, 28 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • There is an extramarital affair and even brief partial nudity.
    Will Ripley, CNN Money, 21 Jan. 2026
  • This season, viewers went wild for Billy Bob Thornton’s full-frontal nudity scene.
    Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 19 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Raw.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/raw. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.

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