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

Late Thursday night the Taliban’s military launched attacks on Pakistani positions along some sections of their porous and disputed border that wends 1,600 miles through rugged mountains and desert. —Sophia Saifi, CNN Money, 27 Feb. 2026

However, the rugged uninhabited island feels like a world away, with its white sand beaches, turquoise waters, and its reptilian residents. —Madeline Weinfield, Travel + Leisure, 26 Feb. 2026

Photography enthusiasts will enjoy hanging out in the hotel’s public spaces; the hotel is flooded with natural light and features a spacious foyer with striking contemporary sculptures inspired by the lush hills and rugged shores of Shenzhen. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Feb. 2026

The geckos were found living around karst rock formations — a type of landscape shaped by the dissolution of soluble rock, typically characterized by dramatic caves, crevices and rugged rocky terrain. —Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 25 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