roughen
verb
\
ˈrəf-niŋ
\
Definition of roughen
: to become rough
Examples of roughen in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This will roughen your hair up in just the right way. — Devin Toth, Redbook, "How to Get Sexy Hair for Valentine's Day," 13 Feb. 2012 Distinctive patches of raised, roughened skin cover each right whale’s head — allowing researchers to identify individual animals. — Sarah Kaplan, Washington Post, "These whales will be extinct in 25 years, scientists say — unless we act now to save them," 20 Apr. 2018 Distinctive patches of raised, roughened skin cover each right whale’s head - allowing researchers to identify individual animals. — Sarah Kaplan, BostonGlobe.com, "N. Atlantic right whales will be extinct in 25 years, scientists say - unless we act now to save them," 20 Apr. 2018 The sandpaper was used in an attempt to roughen one side of the ball, which changes its aerodynamics while bowling — similar to a pitcher tampering with a baseball. — Tom Schad, USA TODAY, "Sandpaper scandal shakes Australian national cricket team as cheating plot revealed," 28 Mar. 2018 Textured implants have roughened surfaces that may act as an irritant in some women, provoking inflammation that can lead to lymphoma, researchers say. — Denise Grady, New York Times, "More Cases Are Reported of Unusual Cancer Linked to Breast Implants," 21 Mar. 2018 Which meant that scores of atmosphere, delicacy and refinement were roughened by the acoustics. — Alan Artner, chicagotribune.com, "Alex Klein creates warm sounds in Orion Chamber Ensemble season opener," 28 Sep. 2017 Nearly all the cases have been linked to implants with a textured or slightly roughened surface, rather than a smooth covering. — Denise Grady, The Seattle Times, "New worries on breast implants after links found to lymphoma," 17 June 2017 Nearly all the cases have been linked to implants with a textured or slightly roughened surface, rather than a smooth covering. — Denise Grady, The Seattle Times, "New worries on breast implants after links found to lymphoma," 17 June 2017These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'roughen.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for roughen
roughen
verb
English Language Learners Definition of roughen
: to become rough or cause (something) to become rough
See the full definition for roughen in the English Language Learners Dictionary
roughen
verb
\
Kids Definition of roughen
: to make or become rough
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on roughen
What made you want to look up roughen? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Great Scrabble Words—A Quiz
-
- Which of the following Q-without-U words means the number five in cards or dice?
Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
-
Great Scrabble Words—A Quiz
Words to improve your Scrabble game
Take the quiz -
Which Came First? Quiz
Do you know which word is older?
Take the quiz -
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?
Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!
Take the quiz -
Add Diction
Build a chain of words by adding one letter at a time.
Play the game
Share roughen
Resources for roughen