Definition of rudenext
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
as in crude
being such as found in nature and not altered by processing or refining rude pelts that were sent to Europe to be fashioned into elegant hats and coats

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective rude differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of rude are crude, raw, and rough. While all these words mean "lacking in social refinement," rude implies ignorance of or indifference to good form; it may suggest intentional discourtesy.

rude behavior

Where would crude be a reasonable alternative to rude?

The words crude and rude are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, crude may apply to thought or behavior limited to the gross, the obvious, or the primitive.

a crude joke

When would raw be a good substitute for rude?

In some situations, the words raw and rude are roughly equivalent. However, raw suggests being untested, inexperienced, or unfinished.

turning raw youths into polished performers

When is rough a more appropriate choice than rude?

The synonyms rough and rude are sometimes interchangeable, but rough is likely to stress lack of polish and gentleness.

rough manners

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 rude Her other teenage son is oftentimes rude and incommunicative. R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026 Kobabe conveys the quiet pain of being misgendered in ostensibly non-hostile environments and the fear of being perceived as inconvenient or rude. Literary Hub, 12 Mar. 2026 Even a bit rude and dismissive? Sharareh Drury, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Mar. 2026 Having the broker seemingly mislead you in this way is incredibly rude. Clio Chang, Curbed, 11 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rude
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rude
Adjective
  • What followed was a divide within the league as those siding with Kornet called the collaboration disrespectful to women and an overall bad look for a family-friendly league.
    Irene Wright, USA Today, 17 Mar. 2026
  • The change in role led to frustration and friction with Phillies manager Rob Thomson (drinking a beer in the dugout after a benching was seen as disrespectful).
    Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • McGee meets one of a clumsy TURF intern Pete, who is revealed to be Olivia's 18-year-old son, Matteo (Patrick Keleher) under interrogation.
    Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 18 Mar. 2026
  • Actors from Reiner’s movies gathered onstage — although the camera didn’t catch their faces, a sadly clumsy gaffe.
    Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • There are nine primitive, tent-only sites without electric access.
    Aurora Beacon-News, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
  • Anacapa Island, for instance, has no services aside from some primitive campsites, a lighthouse and limited hiking options, but is also a major seabird rookery from April to August, which translates to lots of bird poop, noise, bird carcasses and territorial bird behavior.
    Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The beloved slapstick comedy is 85 minutes of pure entertainment, full of increasingly chaotic adventures and shockingly crass jokes that still produce guffaws decades later.
    Rachel Simon, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2026
  • In a not crass way, no matter what your vice of choice is, someone who enables that behavior, even just by being there, is a really relatable idea.
    Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Ashley Johnson and star/executive producer Travis Willingham tee up what's coming for their soft barbarian lady.
    Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Bailey plays half-elf ranger Vex, O’Brien is her twin brother Vax, Willingham is the lovable barbarian Grog, Johnson is the holy gnome cleric Pike, Jaffe is the royal gunslinger Percy, Ray is magical half-elf druid Keyleth and Riegel is the raunchy gnome bard Scanlan.
    Jordan Moreau, Variety, 24 July 2025
Adjective
  • Across Southern California, e-bike popularity has soared, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic — with a disportionate number of young riders ignorant or ignoring the rules of the road, authorities say, leading to crashes and in some cases fatalities.
    Nathaniel Percy, Oc Register, 20 Mar. 2026
  • Having access to knowledge and being able to collectively reflect are rights too precious to surrender to those who prefer us ignorant.
    Megan Thiele Strong, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Some do this flippantly, but reader Robin suggested drivers who do this do not care and are flat-out discourteous.
    Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 11 Jan. 2026
  • In 2014, he was found to have been discourteous and used force.
    Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The crash occurred at Tempe in northern Greece after a passenger train was placed on the wrong track, into the path of an oncoming freight train — an astonishing lapse on a rudimentary rail network.
    ABC News, ABC News, 23 Mar. 2026
  • The puppetry, rudimentary special effects, and unflattering costumes mark it as a distinctly Adult Swim show.
    Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rude.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rude. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on rude

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster