raw 1 of 2

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
4
5
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

7
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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
Andre 3000 gave a rambling speech that ended on a raw note when talking about their humble start. Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 9 Nov. 2025 The London punk rebels seized the revolutionary spirit of 1977 with their raw manifesto The Clash, then refined their sound with the flawed Give ‘Em Enough Rope. Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 9 Nov. 2025
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
  • Always thoroughly wash your hands after handling and preparing food, especially raw or uncooked products.
    Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 4 Nov. 2025
  • Always thoroughly wash your hands after handling and preparing food, especially raw or uncooked meats and produce.
    Mary Walrath-Holdridge, Freep.com, 3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Under the new terms of the license, Chevron was authorized to pay fees and royalties to Venezuela in oil but not in cash, effectively reducing Chevron’s crude exports from the country by half, according to Reuters.
    Stefano Pozzebon, CNN Money, 11 Nov. 2025
  • Jet fuels and other petroleum products are refined from crude oil, and contain chemicals that are toxic to humans when inhaled.
    Connor Giffin, Louisville Courier Journal, 5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Jokic didn’t overtake Jamal Murray as Denver’s leading scorer until their seventh game of the season, after a 33-point performance Wednesday against a Miami Heat frontcourt that was woefully undersized and inexperienced the instant Bam Adebayo exited with a foot injury.
    Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 8 Nov. 2025
  • Henderson has struggled in that role as a rookie, and Jennings is inexperienced at the pro level.
    Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • With those turbulent waters somewhat behind us, the ones under the ship claim another victim, and poor Britani runs off to throw up over the side of the boat.
    Tom Smyth, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2025
  • This election will likely be remembered as a beacon during a turbulent sea of democratic backsliding, restoring the values of a city which was built on immigrant innovation and an ethos of inclusion.
    Newsweek Contributors, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Army nurse Holley Lynn James' disappearance in 2008 would set off a chilling investigation that would unravel into a case marked by fire, secrets and deception.
    Mason Leath, ABC News, 7 Nov. 2025
  • One student asked what the justices would say to those who feel Kirk’s shooting had a chilling effect on conservative speech on campus.
    Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • But usually the administration official doesn’t fight back in such a biting way.
    David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Over nearly three decades, Baumbach has built a career chronicling families in crisis and artists at the crossroads, his films combining biting wit with an unflinching emotional honesty.
    Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • This could make for an intriguing shootout between Maye and Baker Mayfield, who is playing the best ball of his career and has the Tampa Bay Buccaneers off to a 6-2 start despite rampant injuries along his offensive line and wide receiving unit.
    Mike Jones, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
  • Comparisons to the work of the Coen brothers were rampant and not always positive.
    Claire McNear, Rolling Stone, 8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • The system uses the infrared wavelength—invisible to the naked eye—as opposed to visible light to prevent the signals from interfering with the residual peripheral vision the subjects still have.
    Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Jenner offered a peek into her beachy surroundings by sharing pictures of a cloudy sky, ripples of water hitting the sand, and herself sitting naked in front of a clear blue ocean.
    Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Raw.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/raw. Accessed 12 Nov. 2025.

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