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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 Moreover, dogs may react negatively to a person's actions, especially if someone is rude or unfriendly, particularly toward their owner. Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025 Angry and rude to their neighbors while fearing the end of the republic? David M. Drucker, Twin Cities, 12 Oct. 2025 Of course, no one should seek out or stay in a role working under a rude, or otherwise toxic, boss. Ashton Jackson, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2025 Your neighbors may even call you rude. Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 30 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rude
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rude
Adjective
  • This has been accompanied by an increase in complaints about disrespectful behavior and increased anti-foreigner sentiment, which some right-wing politicians have capitalized on.
    Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Trump calling Chicago a ‘war zone’ is disrespectful to the people who live here and fight every day for better.
    Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Even the basic details of the situation can sound like the clumsy plot of some apocalyptic thriller.
    Simon Shuster, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
  • An exceptionally clumsy device.
    Mark Phelan, Freep.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The range of the monster drawings included primitive people, giant spiders, serpents, snails and fantastical fish.
    Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Will there be future fairy tales about birds whose feathers glow in the dark nesting in the ruins of primitive power plants of past ages?
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Each project presented at MIA is picked with a genuine desire for these works to come to the fore, not by crass commercial considerations.
    Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Free speech covers the jokes, the satire, the parodies—even the dumb, crass, or offensive ones.
    Lizz Winstead, Time, 27 Sep. 2025
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
  • But there are also Black folks who are ignorant of this.
    Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 21 Oct. 2025
  • The pilot has moments both sweet and funny, and sets up the possibility of romance amongst the characters, as well as further high jinks from a rotating cast of license seekers and citizens ignorant of the requirements for a Real ID.
    Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Joseph previously worked for an Emirati company, Global Shipping Group, and was also the signatory for three other tankers sanctioned for transporting Iranian crude oil.
    Ed Caesar, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Some Sora users depicted King making crude jokes and other inappropriate content.
    Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • In 2014, he was found to have been discourteous and used force.
    Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2025
  • The main point is to avoid being discourteous of the people behind us by letting the door close in their respective faces.
    R. Eric Thomas, The Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rude.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rude. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on rude

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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