1
as in uneven
not having a level or smooth surface
a rough board can give you splinters
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Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in violent
marked by bursts of destructive force or intense activity
rough waters that made sailing our sloop a little risky
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3
as in turbulent
marked by wet and windy conditions
at least wear a raincoat if you're going out into that rough weather
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4
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort
a forensics expert who willingly takes on rough assignments
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5
as in tough
difficult to endure
I've had a rough time of it since I lost my job
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6
as in gruff
harsh and threatening in manner or appearance
the rough faces of hardened criminals who had spent most of their lives behind bars
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7
as in clumsy
hastily or roughly constructed
made a rough camp as darkness fell over the forest
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8
as in vulgar
lacking in refinement or good taste
he learned polite words to replace the rough language he had known growing up
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9
as in shaggy
covered with or as if with hair
a face rough with a couple days' worth of beard
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10
11
12
as in wild
marked by turmoil or disturbance especially of natural elements
after a rough week on the high seas, we were happy to sail through the gulf's more tranquil waters
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in rowdy
Related Words
as in to chop
Related Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rough
Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Apr. 2026
While Slatkin stayed mum on her new venture (though did give a rough timeline), the CEW Achiever Award honoree has expanded her sense of initiative to philanthropy.
—Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 28 Apr. 2026
John Marshall, Baltimore Sun, 5 Feb. 2026
On Thursday, after a wayward drive landed in the left rough on the par-4 eighth hole, Rahm’s mood soured.
—Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
ABC News, 23 Feb. 2026
Here are a few places to check out:More: Not ready to rough it in the woods?
—Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rough
Adjective
After opening the season with three wins and a solid fourth outing in a Rays victory, Matz had a rough start on April 21 against the Reds, allowing three home runs and lasting only three innings.
—Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Apr. 2026
While Slatkin stayed mum on her new venture (though did give a rough timeline), the CEW Achiever Award honoree has expanded her sense of initiative to philanthropy.
—Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 28 Apr. 2026
Noun
Scheffler pushed his drive into the right fairway bunker on the par-4, could only advance the ball 54 yards into the left rough and gouged his third shot short of the green.
—John Marshall, Baltimore Sun, 5 Feb. 2026
On Thursday, after a wayward drive landed in the left rough on the par-4 eighth hole, Rahm’s mood soured.
—Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
The San Antonio Spurs refused to let the Detroit Pistons rough them up, responding to physical play with toughness and talent, in a potential preview of the NBA Finals.
—ABC News, 23 Feb. 2026
Here are a few places to check out:More: Not ready to rough it in the woods?
—Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rough
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rough
Adjective
-
And the uneven availability cost him a chance to fully adjust to his new role within the organization.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Heavy rain can wash away grass seed and cause uneven growth or bare spots in your lawn.—
Lee Wallender,
The Spruce,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The group above is wanted in connection with a violent robbery on board a CTA bus in Washington Park on April 9.—
Jeramie Bizzle,
CBS News,
3 May 2026
-
More heavy elements, more violent eruptions.—
Paul Sutter,
Space.com,
3 May 2026
Adjective
-
From the transformative power of novels to raising a Black son in a turbulent era, Ward offers a deeply moving testament to resilience, storytelling, and the enduring beauty of life.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
2 May 2026
-
Much like the rest of what’s already been a turbulent season, Orlando has made this playoff series as difficult as possible.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 May 2026
Adjective
-
Combining all of this in one material has been difficult because thermal control and signal control rely on very different properties.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
3 May 2026
-
Despite the removal of material, the architecture can result in a busy design and potentially make reading the time difficult.—
Paige Reddinger,
Robb Report,
3 May 2026
Adjective
-
Lightly coated with oil and tossed occasionally in a searing hot skillet or wok, even tough beans turn silky, and ready to coat in a finishing blast of chiles.—
The Bon Appétit Staff,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
1 May 2026
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Comfortable travel can be achieved with stretchy, breathable pants, but securing a pair that hits those marks while looking stylish can be tough.—
Rachel Trujillo,
Travel + Leisure,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Iron Maiden’s singer when Smith joined, Di’Anno, had short hair and a uniquely gruff voice but couldn’t cut it on the road.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
29 Apr. 2026
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Goldstein plays gruff retired footballer and now assistant coach of AFC Richmond Roy Kent.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Our hands soon became insensitive, clumsy hooks.—
Jim Hoagland,
Outdoor Life,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The production is a revival of the disappointingly fussy, clumsy, old-fashioned one by Lee Blakeley the company unveiled in 2013 for Conlon and to celebrate the Verdi bicentennial.—
Classical Music Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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But demeaning our brand through association with vulgar demagogues is a losing strategy.—
Alma Hernandez,
New York Daily News,
1 May 2026
-
The word was considered so vulgar that it was left out of early dictionaries and was rarely printed, though Adams says people were certainly using it.—
Harmeet Kaur,
CNN Money,
8 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rough.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rough. Accessed 5 May. 2026.
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