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

The pipeline would ship crude oil from the tar sands of western Canada to U.S. refineries along the Gulf of Mexico. — Matthew Daly, The Seattle Times, "Trump wields presidential power on pipeline, energy projects," 14 Apr. 2019 Latest numbers from the Energy Information Administration show production in the region has grown to nearly 3.5 million barrels a day, over a third of the country’s crude oil output. — Madeleine Rivera, Fox News, "West Texas oil boom hampered by infrastructure woes," 12 Sep. 2018 Capuano's agency forecast that US crude output will average 10.8 million barrels a day for all of 2018 and 11.8 million barrels a day in 2019. — David Koenig, The Christian Science Monitor, "US expected to surpass Saudi Arabia, Russia as world's top oil producer," 12 July 2018 Capuano's agency forecast that U.S. crude output will average 10.8 million barrels a day for all of 2018 and 11.8 million barrels a day in 2019, up from 9.4 million in 2017. — David Koenig, Anchorage Daily News, "US soon to leapfrog Saudis, Russia as top oil producer," 12 July 2018 Capuano's agency forecast that U.S. crude output will average 10.8 million barrels a day for all of 2018 and 11.8 million barrels a day in 2019. — David Koenig, chicagotribune.com, "U.S. soon to surpass Saudis, Russia as top oil producer," 11 July 2018 Gasoline prices in Houston and across the country again fell last week ahead of a meeting where OPEC and its allies are expected to decide whether to raise crude oil output. — Katherine Blunt, Houston Chronicle, "Gas prices continue to slide in Houston," 18 June 2018 Saudi Arabia is the second-largest supplier of crude oil to China after Russia. — WSJ, "Corrections & Amplifications," 25 Feb. 2019 But who wants a pair of crude wooden plates on their ceiling? — Popular Mechanics, "To Install a Pull-Up Bar, We Built a Surfboard," 23 Mar. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

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 Credit Suisse updated its price forecasts on Friday as well, to an average of $70 for Brent crude. — David Z. Morris, Fortune, "The Attack on Syria Could Upend Long-Quiet Oil Markets," 14 Apr. 2018 Brent crude, the international price gauge, has rallied more than 30% this year on production cuts by major suppliers. — Georgi Kantchev, WSJ, "Hedge Fund Slammed by Oil Looks to Take Riskier Bets," 17 Apr. 2019 Brent crude, the international standard, picked up 9 cents to $67.52 per barrel. — Elaine Kurtenbach, The Seattle Times, "Asian shares mixed following rebound on Wall Street," 26 Mar. 2019 Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, topped $80 a barrel in mid-May, the highest level since November 2014. — Bloomberg, Fortune, "U.S. Backs Off Trump's Tweet on Saudis Helping Lower Oil Price," 1 July 2018 Futures for May delivery on West Texas Intermediate, the U.S. crude benchmark, fell 0.4% to $59.98 a barrel. — Sarah Mcfarlane, WSJ, "Oil Prices Slip After Hitting 2019 High," 21 Mar. 2019 Norway’s $1 trillion sovereign-wealth fund took a major step toward selling off some of its substantial holdings in oil-and-gas companies, a move to shield the oil-rich nation from the risk of permanently lower crude prices. — Sarah Mcfarlane, WSJ, "Norway’s Sovereign-Wealth Fund Moves Toward Divesting From Oil, Gas Stocks," 8 Mar. 2019 Brent crude, used to price international oils, rose 49 cents in London to $62.00. — Joe Mcdonald, The Seattle Times, "Asian stocks rise after listless Wall Street day," 11 Feb. 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.