rugged

adjective

rug·​ged ˈrə-gəd 

1

: having a rough uneven surface : jagged

rugged mountains

the rugged surface of the moon

2

a

: seamed with wrinkles and furrows : weathered

—used of a human face

b

of a man's face : having rough but attractive features

rugged good looks

3

a

: presenting a severe test of ability, stamina, or resolution

a long and rugged winter

a rugged climb

b

: strongly built or constituted : robust

… those that survive are stalwart, rugged men …

—L. D. Stamp

4

a

: rough and strong in character

made of rugged material

b

: coarse, rude

His single swift glance took in the men, one after another. Annixter, rugged, crude, sitting awkwardly …

—Frank Norris

c

: austere, stern

Rugged, stern, puritanical, as were most of Boston's leaders …

—Michael Pearson

5

: turbulent, stormy

rugged weather

6

obsolete : shaggy, hairy

ruggedly adverb

ruggedness noun

Synonyms of rugged

• sturdy
• hardy
• strong
• tough

Choose the Right Synonym for rugged

rough, harsh, uneven, rugged, scabrous mean not smooth or even.

rough implies points, bristles, ridges, or projections on the surface.

a rough wooden board

harsh implies a surface or texture distinctly unpleasant to the touch.

a harsh fabric that chafes the skin

uneven implies a lack of uniformity in height, breadth, or quality.

an old house with uneven floors

rugged implies irregularity or roughness of land surface and connotes difficulty of travel.

a rugged landscape

scabrous implies scaliness or prickliness of surface.

a scabrous leaf

Examples of rugged in a Sentence

the rugged surface of the moon

She did a painting of the region's rugged coastline.

People are attracted to his rugged good looks.

I admire her rugged individualism.

Recent Examples on the Web

There are also giant granite boulders dotting the shore, giving it a decidedly remote, rugged feel. —Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 5 Feb. 2026

Both the Hangout Shade 7 and Hangout Shade 10 feature the rugged, adventure-ready Aerotech PVC inflatable construction that features throughout Bote's product line. —New Atlas, 4 Feb. 2026

Even the most adaptable vehicles cannot safely make the tip on the rugged terrain. —Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 4 Feb. 2026

Ava Phillippe tapped into the Ralph Lauren aesthetic with rugged dark wash shirt and jeans, pulled together with worn-in brown leather accessories and jacket. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 3 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle English *rug

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 6

Kids Definition

rugged

adjective

rug·​ged ˈrəg-əd 

1

: having a rough uneven surface

hiking on rugged trails

the rugged surface of the moon

2

: having wrinkles or uneven features

their rugged faces

rugged good looks

3

: having a rough but strong or sturdy character

rugged pioneers

4

: involving hardship : presenting a severe test of physical, mental, or moral strength

a rugged winter

rugged training

the rugged life of a sailor

5

: being strong and tough

rugged enough to stand hard use

ruggedly adverb

ruggedness noun