crude

adjective

\ ˈkrüd

cruder; crudest

Definition of crude

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : marked by the primitive, gross, or elemental or by uncultivated simplicity or vulgarity a crude stereotype crude tools crude jokes

2 : existing in a natural state and unaltered by cooking or processing crude oil crude ore

3 : rough or inexpert in plan or execution a crude shelter

4 : lacking a covering, glossing, or concealing element : obvious crude facts

5 : tabulated without being broken down into classes the crude death rate

6 archaic : unripe, immature

crude

noun

Definition of crude (Entry 2 of 2)

: a substance in its natural unprocessed state especially : unrefined petroleum

Other Words from crude Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about crude

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Synonyms & Antonyms for crude

Synonyms: Adjective

native, natural, raw, rude, undressed, unprocessed, unrefined, untreated

Antonyms: Adjective

dressed, processed, refined, treated

Choose the Right Synonym for crude

Adjective

rude, rough, crude, raw mean lacking in social refinement. rude implies ignorance of or indifference to good form; it may suggest intentional discourtesy. rude behavior rough is likely to stress lack of polish and gentleness. rough manners crude may apply to thought or behavior limited to the gross, the obvious, or the primitive. a crude joke raw suggests being untested, inexperienced, or unfinished. turning raw youths into polished performers

Examples of crude in a Sentence

Adjective

They built a crude shelter out of branches. a crude summary of the country's history She first described the procedure in crude terms, and then went into more detail.

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

Despite the unpleasantness of his job, Exilien represents a solution—a crude one—to the deadly problem of poor sanitation. I’d been assigned to photograph a National Geographic story on open defecation, a subject that didn’t disturb me too much. — National Geographic, "They perform an essential health service—in secret," 17 June 2019 The documents demonstrate the inherent instability of this crude system of power transfer and control. — Ian Johnson, The New York Review of Books, "China’s ‘Black Week-end’," 17 June 2019 Now, housing investment and production of key construction inputs such as crude steel, glass, electricity and nonferrous metals are all weakening. — Nathaniel Taplin, WSJ, "Juice for China’s Economy Is Coming," 14 June 2019 Just four countries—Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and the U.A.E.—make up nearly 80% of Japan’s crude imports. — Katherine Dunn, Fortune, "Oil Tanker Attacks Near Iran Put the Squeeze on a Unexpected Party: Japan," 13 June 2019 The crude spike helped Europe's oil producers pull stock markets there higher and lift Wall Street futures. — NBC News, "Oil prices spike by 4 percent after Gulf tanker attacks," 13 June 2019 Starring: Alexandre Landry, Maripier Morin Rated: R for some strong violence, sexuality, nudity and crude language. — Ann Hornaday, Twin Cities, "‘The Fall of the American Empire’ mixes comedy and deep thought, with mixed results," 13 June 2019 All featured live music, snide political humor, satirical slide shows, at times crude sight gags and, most important of all, performers who would do anything for a laugh. — Donna Freedman, Anchorage Daily News, "Farewell to the 'Follies’: Mr. Whitekeys says his shows are ending — for good, this time," 12 June 2019 Spreaders of misinformation don’t need sophisticated technology to go viral and crude manipulations can be used to undermine an opponent. — Robert Costa And Elizabeth Dwoskin, The Mercury News, "Pelosi hasn’t responded to Zuckerberg’s overtures after Facebook refused to take down fake video," 11 June 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Landlocked Alberta produces four fifths of Canadian crude, but struggles to get it abroad, leading to steep discounts against global benchmarks — and hitting the province hard. — Emily Rauhala, Washington Post, "On Monday, Canada declared a ‘climate emergency.’ On Tuesday, it approved a pipeline expansion.," 18 June 2019 Conversely, industry officials said the attacks would weigh on the price of crude from producers such as Kuwait and Bahrain that are dependent on the Strait as an export route. — Benoit Faucon, WSJ, "Gulf of Oman Tanker Attacks Roil Mideast Oil Market," 17 June 2019 BBC Oil Bears The price of crude is down more than a fifth since April, thanks the twin issues of poor global growth and fears of oversupply. — Alan Murray, Fortune, "So Much for Fiat Chrysler and Renault: CEO Daily," 6 June 2019 The biggest between 1970 and 2018 happened in 1979, off the coast of Tobago in the West Indies when the Atlantic Empress lost 287,000 tons of crude in a collision with another tanker. — Stephen Leahy, National Geographic, "Exxon Valdez changed the oil industry forever—but new threats emerge," 22 Mar. 2019 Moreover, Saudi Arabia has sought to woo Russia, buying weapons, signing defence-industrial agreements and striking an unprecedented deal in 2016 to cut oil output to drive up the price of crude. — The Economist, "Insecurity complexGulf states fear being encircled by Iran and abandoned by America," 21 June 2018 Companies are clamoring for a bigger piece of the prolific oil field that has lifted U.S. crude production to records. — Christopher M. Matthews, WSJ, "Rivals Vie for Mastery Over America’s Hottest Oil Field," 6 May 2019 Brent crude, used to price international oils, added 87 cents to $71.70 per barrel in London. — Joe Mcdonald, The Seattle Times, "Global stocks rise after China reports stronger exports," 12 Apr. 2019 Eight nations were granted exemptions, which helped fuel 4Q’s crude-price slump. — Biman Mukherji, WSJ, "Will US Renew Sanction Waivers on Iranian Oil?," 1 Apr. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'crude.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.