rougher; roughest
1
a
: marked by inequalities, ridges, or projections on the surface : coarse
b
: covered with or made up of coarse and often shaggy hair
rough-coated collie
compare smooth, wirehaired
c(1)
: having a broken, uneven, or bumpy surface
rough terrain
(2)
: difficult to travel through or penetrate : wild
into the rough woods—
P. B. Shelley
P. B. Shelley2
a
: turbulent, tempestuous
rough seas
b(1)
: characterized by harshness, violence, or force
(2)
: presenting a challenge : difficult
rough to deal with—R. M. McAlmon
R. M. McAlmon3
: coarse or rugged in character or appearance: such as
a
: harsh to the ear
b
: crude in style or expression
c
d
: marked by a lack of refinement or grace : uncouth
4
a
: crude, unfinished
rough carpentry
b
: executed or ventured hastily, tentatively, or imperfectly
a rough draft
rough estimate
1
2
British
: without usual conveniences
especially
: without proper shelter
become homeless and have to sleep rough —London Times
London Times 1
: uneven ground covered with high grass, brush, and stones
specifically
: such ground bordering a golf fairway
2
: the rugged or disagreeable side or aspect
hiking-camping admirers of nature in the rough—Eleanor Stirling
Eleanor Stirling3
a
: something in a crude, unfinished, or preliminary state
b
: broad outline : general terms
the question … has been discussed in rough—Manchester Guardian Weekly
Manchester Guardian Weekly
c
: a hasty preliminary drawing or layout
4
: rowdy
roughed; roughing; roughs
1
: roughen
2
b
: to subject to unnecessary and intentional violence in a sport
a penalty for roughing the passer
c
: shell sense 3
—used with up
was roughed up for six runs
3
: to calk or otherwise roughen (a horse's shoes) to prevent slipping
4
a
: to shape, make, or dress in a rough or preliminary way
b
: to indicate the chief lines of
rough out the structure of a building
rougher
noun
Synonyms
Adjective
Verb
- bash
- baste
- bat
- batter
- beat
- belabor
- belt
- birch
- bludgeon
- buffet
- bung up
- club
- curry
- do
- drub
- fib [British]
- flog
- hammer
- hide
- lace
- lambaste
- lambast
- lash
- lather
- lick
- maul
- mess (up)
- paddle
- pelt
- pommel
- pound
- pummel
- punch out
- slate
- slog
- switch
- tan
- thrash
- thresh
- thump
- tromp
- wallop
- whale
- whip
- whop
- whap
- whup
- work over
Examples of rough in a Sentence
Adjective
He trimmed the rough edge of the paper.
We traveled over rough dirt roads.
They hiked through rough terrain.
We were a bit shaken from the plane's rough landing.
He went through a rough patch after his divorce.
They've hit a few rough spots in their marriage.
Despite a rough start, the team won more games this season than last.
Adverb
The engine is running a little rough.
Life has been treating her pretty rough.
He plays rough with the dog.
people living rough on the streets
Noun
He hit his drive into the rough.
He showed me a few roughs of the new building.
Verb
He was called for roughing the kicker.
Recent Examples on the WebPaul Davidson, USA TODAY, 5 Apr. 2024
Names on Miami Heat arena The arena where the Heat plays has had a rough recent history with names, having three different ones just since 2023.
—Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2024
Fagan previously said vacancies would begin to fall next year, but that this year would still be a rough one for the sector given how much vacancies weigh on rent growth.
—Byalena Botros, Fortune, 4 Apr. 2024
While illness could potentially trigger an alert, so could many other factors, like a rough workout or several nights of poor rest.
—Victoria Song, The Verge, 3 Apr. 2024
The ride focuses on basic bike handling skills as well as climbing and descending rough terrain.
—Flip Putthoff, arkansasonline.com, 2 Apr. 2024
There’s been at least some reason for cheer lately, despite predictions that 2024 will be a rough year at the box office thanks to the lack of big theatrical releases after six months of labor strikes overhauled studios’ calendars.
—Ryan Faughnder, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2024
The Magic is far from an offensive juggernaut, and had a rough night even by its standards.
—Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 31 Mar. 2024
Well-documented for being a little rough around the edges and defensive to those trying in vain to figure him out, Jinks is rather upbeat in conversation these days — with a sense of self not felt in decades.
—Garret K. Woodward, Rolling Stone, 24 Mar. 2024
Fred A. Bernstein, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2022
What is verifiably true is that, unlike the hulking, rough-faced cast iron we’re used to today, these elder vessels are almost unbearably wonderful, made from a thinner cast and consequently lighter weight, with surfaces that are satin smooth.
—Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 21 Nov. 2021
Stroud contacted Willis shortly after a taxidermist rough-scored the incredible rack on that pleasant fall afternoon.
—Matt Williams, Dallas News, 2 Oct. 2021
Frank Jay Gould, Jay's youngest son, become known for his love of both smooth- and rough-coated St. Bernard's.
—Emily Leiker, USA TODAY, 11 June 2021
In another demonstration of the variability of perception, the authors showed that when placed next to an elderly woman or a child, pit bulls were labeled more positively, while showing them next to a rough-looking male hurt their credibility.
—Nathaniel Scharping, Discover Magazine, 23 Mar. 2016
Centineo plays Owen with a similar off-kilter, rough-around-the-edges appeal.
—Nojan Aminosharei, Men's Health, 21 Dec. 2022
Corabi had the album’s rough-hewn artwork patterned after the essential Aerosmith concert album.
—Matt Wake | Mwake@al.com, al, 5 Oct. 2022
The top is asymmetric and rough-edged, not to mention rent down the center.
—Maile Pingel, WSJ, 28 Sep. 2022
Bernie Wilson, USA TODAY, 27 Jan. 2024
Some even get out on the North and South courses for a glimpse of the grounds, including — gulp — Torrey’s infamous rough.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Jan. 2024
An accompanying charcoal illustration resembled the pencil roughs for set and ship designs found in The Art of Star Wars.
—James Rosen, National Review, 21 Dec. 2023
That stone dates to 1878, when Charles Lewis Tiffany acquired the 287-carat rough that was unearthed in South Africa’s Kimberly mine, for a mere $18,000.
—Jill Newman, Robb Report, 18 Oct. 2023
Players will also encounter four-inch rough, which has been left to grow thickly undisturbed.
—Jim Owczarski, Journal Sentinel, 15 May 2023
After hitting his tee shot into the right rough on No. 7, the short par-4, DeChambeau leaned on his club to collect his tee and the shaft snapped near the bottom.
—Jon Schultz, SFChronicle.com, 6 Aug. 2020
On the fourth hole, his third shot from the green-side rough went well past the hole location, off the opposite side of the green.
—Greg Luca, San Antonio Express-News, 2 Apr. 2023
Eternal Pink hails from a larger 23.78-carat rough that was discovered by De Beers at the famed Damtshaa mine in Botswana.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 29 Mar. 2023
Rebecca Suhrawardi, Robb Report, 7 Mar. 2024
Gostisbehere was sent off for roughing at 16:45, and Lyon turned away Montour's shot during the Panthers' power play.
—Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press, 18 Jan. 2024
But a late flag on Christian Wilkins for roughing the passer on third down gave Kansas City a fresh set of downs, and Pacheco plowed into the end zone moments later to give the Chiefs a 26-7 lead.
—Dave Skretta, USA TODAY, 14 Jan. 2024
The 76-year-old had left another section of the live television set to interrupt Elmo’s segment and rough the muppet up.
—Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 2 Feb. 2024
The Raiders' Maxx Crosby roughed him up in a loss to Las Vegas, and the Bengals' Trey Hendrickson got around him Sunday for a strip-sack that led to a Cincinnati touchdown.
—Dave Skretta, USA TODAY, 2 Jan. 2024
Ravens’ total penalty yards were just shy of the length of a football field (95), with five 15-yard penalties for unnecessary roughness, roughing the passer, and taunting.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 29 Jan. 2024
Two plays later, Oregon is whistled for roughing the passer.
—oregonlive, 16 Sep. 2023
Earlier in the second quarter, James was called for roughing the passer following a hit on Prescott.
—Jeff Miller, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2023
Adjective
Investors appeared to warm to the combination of big job gains and moderating wage growth that could keep the Fed's rough forecast of three rate cuts this year intact.
—Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 5 Apr. 2024
Names on Miami Heat arena The arena where the Heat plays has had a rough recent history with names, having three different ones just since 2023.
—Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2024
Fagan previously said vacancies would begin to fall next year, but that this year would still be a rough one for the sector given how much vacancies weigh on rent growth.
—Byalena Botros, Fortune, 4 Apr. 2024
While illness could potentially trigger an alert, so could many other factors, like a rough workout or several nights of poor rest.
—Victoria Song, The Verge, 3 Apr. 2024
The ride focuses on basic bike handling skills as well as climbing and descending rough terrain.
—Flip Putthoff, arkansasonline.com, 2 Apr. 2024
There’s been at least some reason for cheer lately, despite predictions that 2024 will be a rough year at the box office thanks to the lack of big theatrical releases after six months of labor strikes overhauled studios’ calendars.
—Ryan Faughnder, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2024
The Magic is far from an offensive juggernaut, and had a rough night even by its standards.
—Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 31 Mar. 2024
Well-documented for being a little rough around the edges and defensive to those trying in vain to figure him out, Jinks is rather upbeat in conversation these days — with a sense of self not felt in decades.
—Garret K. Woodward, Rolling Stone, 24 Mar. 2024
Adverb
His own house in Fire Island Pines, built in 1961, was a single rectangle of about 600 square feet constructed from rough-cut cedar.
—Fred A. Bernstein, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2022
What is verifiably true is that, unlike the hulking, rough-faced cast iron we’re used to today, these elder vessels are almost unbearably wonderful, made from a thinner cast and consequently lighter weight, with surfaces that are satin smooth.
—Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 21 Nov. 2021
Stroud contacted Willis shortly after a taxidermist rough-scored the incredible rack on that pleasant fall afternoon.
—Matt Williams, Dallas News, 2 Oct. 2021
Frank Jay Gould, Jay's youngest son, become known for his love of both smooth- and rough-coated St. Bernard's.
—Emily Leiker, USA TODAY, 11 June 2021
In another demonstration of the variability of perception, the authors showed that when placed next to an elderly woman or a child, pit bulls were labeled more positively, while showing them next to a rough-looking male hurt their credibility.
—Nathaniel Scharping, Discover Magazine, 23 Mar. 2016
Centineo plays Owen with a similar off-kilter, rough-around-the-edges appeal.
—Nojan Aminosharei, Men's Health, 21 Dec. 2022
Corabi had the album’s rough-hewn artwork patterned after the essential Aerosmith concert album.
—Matt Wake | Mwake@al.com, al, 5 Oct. 2022
The top is asymmetric and rough-edged, not to mention rent down the center.
—Maile Pingel, WSJ, 28 Sep. 2022
Noun
There were a number of factors for the high scores, including tough pin placements and thick rough that was soaked during a storm Monday that overwhelmed parts of the city.
—Bernie Wilson, USA TODAY, 27 Jan. 2024
Some even get out on the North and South courses for a glimpse of the grounds, including — gulp — Torrey’s infamous rough.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Jan. 2024
An accompanying charcoal illustration resembled the pencil roughs for set and ship designs found in The Art of Star Wars.
—James Rosen, National Review, 21 Dec. 2023
That stone dates to 1878, when Charles Lewis Tiffany acquired the 287-carat rough that was unearthed in South Africa’s Kimberly mine, for a mere $18,000.
—Jill Newman, Robb Report, 18 Oct. 2023
Players will also encounter four-inch rough, which has been left to grow thickly undisturbed.
—Jim Owczarski, Journal Sentinel, 15 May 2023
After hitting his tee shot into the right rough on No. 7, the short par-4, DeChambeau leaned on his club to collect his tee and the shaft snapped near the bottom.
—Jon Schultz, SFChronicle.com, 6 Aug. 2020
On the fourth hole, his third shot from the green-side rough went well past the hole location, off the opposite side of the green.
—Greg Luca, San Antonio Express-News, 2 Apr. 2023
Eternal Pink hails from a larger 23.78-carat rough that was discovered by De Beers at the famed Damtshaa mine in Botswana.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 29 Mar. 2023
Verb
However, the off-catalog versions that Ambani wore are hardly meant to be roughed around.
—Rebecca Suhrawardi, Robb Report, 7 Mar. 2024
Gostisbehere was sent off for roughing at 16:45, and Lyon turned away Montour's shot during the Panthers' power play.
—Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press, 18 Jan. 2024
But a late flag on Christian Wilkins for roughing the passer on third down gave Kansas City a fresh set of downs, and Pacheco plowed into the end zone moments later to give the Chiefs a 26-7 lead.
—Dave Skretta, USA TODAY, 14 Jan. 2024
The 76-year-old had left another section of the live television set to interrupt Elmo’s segment and rough the muppet up.
—Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 2 Feb. 2024
The Raiders' Maxx Crosby roughed him up in a loss to Las Vegas, and the Bengals' Trey Hendrickson got around him Sunday for a strip-sack that led to a Cincinnati touchdown.
—Dave Skretta, USA TODAY, 2 Jan. 2024
Ravens’ total penalty yards were just shy of the length of a football field (95), with five 15-yard penalties for unnecessary roughness, roughing the passer, and taunting.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 29 Jan. 2024
Two plays later, Oregon is whistled for roughing the passer.
—oregonlive, 16 Sep. 2023
Earlier in the second quarter, James was called for roughing the passer following a hit on Prescott.
—Jeff Miller, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rough.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to rough
Dictionary Entries Near rough
Cite this Entry
“Rough.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rough. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
rough
1 of 4 adjective1
a
: having an uneven surface : not smooth
b
: covered with or made up of coarse and often shaggy hair or bristles
a rough-coated terrier
2
a
: not calm
rough seas
b
: being harsh or violent
rough treatment
c
: difficult to take or deal with
we've had some rough times
3
a
: harsh to the ear
b
: coarse or rugged in nature or look
4
: not complete or exact
a rough draft
rough estimate
rough
2 of 4 noun1
: uneven ground covered with high grass, brush, and stones
2
: the rugged or unpleasant part of something
nature in the rough
3
: something in a crude or unfinished state
also
: such a state
a diamond in the rough
rough
3 of 4 adverb
: in a rough way : not smoothly
the engine idled rough, but ran smoothly at high speed
Medical Definition
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