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

Learn more › The latest product of an ongoing Peanuts x Timex collab is this Expedition Snoopy Road Trip watch, a cool and rugged off-roady timepiece with a fun splash of whimsy. —Andrew P. Collins, The Drive, 12 Mar. 2026

Complicating all this is that the moon’s south pole is rugged and remote from more easily accessible regions, meaning there are surprisingly few places to build there. —Leonard David, Scientific American, 12 Mar. 2026

Built to military standard 810 for thermal, shock, and water resistance up to 100 meters, this watch is as rugged as your wildest adventures. —Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 11 Mar. 2026

Straddling the rugged mountains between the states of Mexico and Michoacán, the 138,000-acre reserve has around a half dozen public, community-run sanctuaries within its borders and in its buffer zones. —Jen Murphy, Travel + Leisure, 10 Mar. 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