tough

adjective \ ˈtəf \

Updated on: 13 May 2018

Definition of tough

1 : difficult to accomplish, resolve, endure, or deal with

a tough question

tough luck

2 : capable of enduring strain, hardship, or severe labor

tough soldiers

3 : unruly, rowdyish

a tough gang

4 a : strong or firm in texture but flexible and not brittle

b : not easily chewed

tough meat

5 : characterized by severity or uncompromising determination

tough laws

tough discipline

6 : very hard to influence : stubborn

a tough negotiator

7 : stubbornly fought

a tough contest

8 : marked by absence of softness or sentimentality

a tough critic

9 : glutinous, sticky

—

toughly

adverb

—

toughness

noun

See tough defined for English-language learners

See tough defined for kids

Examples of tough in a Sentence

I have a tough constitution, and my profession taught me how to compete against long odds and big obstacles. —Lance Armstrong, It's Not About The Bike, (2000) 2001
… Pelletreau had firsthand experience in dealing with Israelis as well as with Arabs and had a reputation for being bold, analytical, and tough as nails. —Robert D. Kaplan, The Arabists, 1993
… this wiry, tough, frenetic Algerian with the beneficent smile, who could vault over the bar and stiff-arm a drunk out into the night in less time than it takes to say Edgar Poe, and return, bland as butter, to take up where he left off … —William Styron, "The Paris Review," August 1953, in William Styron, This Quiet Dust And Other Writings, (1953) 1982
He had on the other hand to preserve his own reputation as a tough D.A. who dealt handily with the criminal classes. —E. L. Doctorow, Ragtime, (1974) 1975
She had a tough time in college.
Are you tough enough for the job?
He's been hanging around with a bunch of tough guys.
The rug is made of tough material.

Recent Examples of tough from the Web

My guess is Governor Rauner—always eager to look tough on crime—will veto it.

— ben joravsky, Chicago Reader, "You’re innocent until proven guilty—but that doesn’t mean you can vote," 7 May 2018
While Meghan's untraditional fashion choices make predictions tough, here are Kay's top three picks for Prince Harry's fiancée on her wedding day.

— caroline picard, Good Housekeeping, "3 Stunning Tiaras Meghan Markle Might Wear at the Royal Wedding," 5 May 2018
Folks who need the toughest gear for their daily life have been through enough experimentation to know what works. 8.

— timothy dahl, Popular Mechanics, "How to Choose the Right Roof Rack to Carry All Your Gear," 4 May 2018
Her lyrics, no matter how tough, are from the heart.

— erica gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "Anne-Marie Is Not Afraid to Speak Her Mind," 2 May 2018
Kushner has been an unlikely proponent of criminal-justice reform, putting him at odds with Attorney General Jeff Sessions who has been vocal about his tough-on-crime approach.

— erika harwood, Vanities, "Kim Kardashian Is Teaming Up with Jared Kushner for an Actually Good Cause," 2 May 2018
Our culture demands that men be tough, emotionally hardened, and ready to use violence to achieve a goal.

— meagan fredette, refinery29.com, "New Revelations Show Golden State Killer Had Toxic History With Women," 29 Apr. 2018
Making Washington laugh is a tough gig, and former Daily Show With Trevor Noah correspondent’s raunchy set received plenty of chuckles (and a fair amount of groans).

— rebecca detken, EW.com, "Michelle Wolf targets Trump, Sanders, and Conway at White House Correspondents' Dinner," 29 Apr. 2018
Raising a child today is already tough enough, but factor in race and discrimination and the task is daunting.

— tammy joyner, Glamour, "Since Rodney King, Has Anything Really Changed for Black Men and the Women Who Raise Them?," 27 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'tough.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of tough

Middle English, from Old English tōh; akin to Old High German zāhi tough

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 4a

See Words from the same year

tough Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of tough

strong, stout, sturdy, stalwart, tough, tenacious mean showing power to resist or to endure. strong may imply power derived from muscular vigor, large size, structural soundness, intellectual or spiritual resources.

- strong arms
- the defense has a strong case

stout suggests an ability to endure stress, pain, or hard use without giving way.

- stout hiking boots

sturdy implies strength derived from vigorous growth, determination of spirit, solidity of construction.

- a sturdy table
- people of sturdy independence

stalwart suggests an unshakable dependability.

- stalwart environmentalists

tough implies great firmness and resiliency.

- a tough political opponent

tenacious suggests strength in seizing, retaining, clinging to, or holding together.

- tenacious farmers clinging to an age-old way of life

tough

adverb

Definition of tough

: in a tough manner (see ¹tough)

talking tough

See tough defined for English-language learners

Examples of tough in a Sentence

He talks tough but he's not really dangerous.

Recent Examples of tough from the Web

And Mr Hannity, another tough-talking New Yorker, who feeds Mr Trump’s love of conspiracy theories and hatred of snooty elites, is his closest confidant on Fox.

— The Economist, "Sean Hannity shares a lot with Donald Trump, including an attorney," 19 Apr. 2018
Picking a jury has proven particularly tough after the #MeToo movement started toppling famous men in rapid succession months after Cosby's first trial ended in a deadlock.

— CBS News, "Bill Cosby trial judge delivers defense 2 big victories," 3 Apr. 2018
The seeming availability of guns, savvy intelligence gathering and the can-do, tough-guy image of Israelis like Mr. Barkat have impressed some American gun-rights advocates.

— isabel kershner, New York Times, "Is Israel a Model When It Comes to Guns, as Mike Huckabee Says?," 20 Feb. 2018
The cold air hangs tough over the area, with highs mainly in the lower 40s.

— david streit, Washington Post, "D.C.-area forecast: Cold quickly gives way to a milder weekend, but Sunday turns damp," 25 Jan. 2018
Wade pointed out Vanderbilt nearly beat Kentucky at Rupp Arena before a late foul sent the game into overtime and the Wildcats came away with an 83-81 win and the Commodores also played Auburn tough the following game in a 93-81 loss.

— andrew lopez, NOLA.com, "LSU can achieve one of Will Wade's goals with win vs. Vanderbilt," 19 Feb. 2018
The Sharks hung tough early, taking a 7-4 lead on the first of four 3-pointers in the first half from Jada Rhodes, and still were within 36-30 with 3:13 left in the second quarter after Victoria Wright erupted.

— jason mcdaniel, Houston Chronicle, "Charli Collier, Barbers Hill rout Shadow Creek in area playoffs; Manvel next," 16 Feb. 2018
The Patriots served tough all night en route to a 25-11, 25-14, 25-8 Division IV first-round victory over No.

— joseph halm, NOLA.com, "No. 12 Curtis sweeps St. Thomas Aquinas in playoff opener," 31 Oct. 2017
In 2012, the last time the state had an open Senate seat, Democrats recruited Richard H. Carmona, a tough-talking Vietnam War hero and former surgeon general in the administration of George W. Bush.

— sheryl gay stolberg, New York Times, "‘Bedlam Out Here in Arizona’ After Jeff Flake Departs Senate Race," 29 Oct. 2017

Origin and Etymology of tough

see ¹tough

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

tough

noun

Definition of tough

: a tough and violent person : rowdy

See tough defined for English-language learners

Examples of tough in a Sentence

One night, after antagonizing a gang of older toughs, he had his face smashed in with a hockey stick. —John Harris, Rolling Stone, 14 Nov. 2002
They weren't strong enough to fight Sankoh and his hopped-up young toughs, who number in the thousands. —Tom Masland et al., Newsweek, 15 May 2000
The subways provided fine service, except that lately there had been a problem. Packs of young toughs had taken to roaming the cars. —Tom Wolf, Harper's, November 1989
didn't want her son hanging out with the neighborhood toughs

Recent Examples of tough from the Web

Henri Jokihajru can't handle a tough back pass at the Brandon blue line, leading to a 2 on 1 and a Ty Lewis goal. 3-1 Brendan De Jong with the pass of his life at center ice, sending Joachim Blichfeld in for a breakaway goal.

— dylan bumbarger, OregonLive.com, "Winterhawks 4, Wheat Kings 3," 22 Jan. 2018
Martinez-Valdez, prosecutors say, was a street tough who earned a lucrative living by stepping into the sophisticated economic crime.

— david ovalle, miamiherald, "Illegal 'moving fire bombs' drive Miami black market for gas | Miami Herald," 12 Jan. 2018
Buddhist toughs threatened taxi drivers and merchants from Kargil, telling them they weren’t allowed to work in Leh.

— suhasini raj and jeffrey gettleman, New York Times, "On the Run for Love: Couple Bridges a Buddhist-Muslim Divide," 12 Oct. 2017
These teams — there are precisely two in the series, vaguely rivalrous, unequally enlightened — are the tough who get going when the going gets too tough for the ordinary weapons and tactics of ordinary police officers.

— robert lloyd, latimes.com, "CBS's flashy, action-packed 'S.W.A.T.' reboot will no doubt serve as comfort food to some viewers," 2 Nov. 2017
Cody Krause did the tough running up the middle by gaining 78 yards on 22 carries, including a 6-yard touchdown.

— andrew gruman, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Five Takeaways: Muskego 28, Catholic Memorial 6," 8 Sep. 2017
Thus, Mayweather is dipping into the ranks of the UFC in some sort of Tough Guy Face-off, a battle-sport version of Godzilla vs. Mothra.

— will leitch, Daily Intelligencer, "It Seems Like Sports Can’t Sink Much Lower Than Mayweather-McGregor. But Just Wait.," 23 July 2017
That May Be a Tough Sell: Gadfly Takeover Approaches Representatives for JPMorgan and Worldpay declined to comment for this story.

— david hellier, Bloomberg.com, "JPMorgan in Balancing Act as Worldpay Broker and Suitor," 4 July 2017

Origin and Etymology of tough

see ¹tough

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1801

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

tough Synonyms

Synonyms

gangster, goon, gorilla, hood, hoodlum, hooligan, mobster, punk, roughneck, rowdy, ruffian;

Related Words

cutthroat, scoundrel, villain;

assassin, bandit, bravo, brigand, criminal, crook, desperado, felon, gunman, highwayman, lawbreaker, mafioso, malefactor, offender, outlaw, perp, perpetrator, pirate;

pickpocket, racketeer, robber, swindler, thief, vandal;

tough

verb

Definition of tough

transitive verb

: to bear unflinchingly : endure —usually used with out especially in the phrase tough it out

See tough defined for English-language learners

Examples of tough in a Sentence

Summer in New York is coasting the dairy aisle at Safeway. … It's finding the spot in a subway car where the vent blows strongest and staying there past your stop, toughing it out when the "excuse me, ladies and gentlemen" hard-luck stories blow through. —Guy Trebay, Village Voice, 30 July 1991
… they were toughing it out with the help of the greatest ally a macho young cop ever had, booze. —Joseph Wambaugh, Lines and Shadows, 1984

Recent Examples of tough from the Web

In this predicament authoritarian rulers can negotiate, or dig in and tough it out.

— The Economist, "Riots threaten Nicaragua’s autocratic president," 26 Apr. 2018
Arguably one of the most quintessential summer pastimes, camping, for most, is about roughing-and-toughing it out in the wild.

— michelle profis, Country Living, "The New Accessory That Will Give Any Camping Experience a Serious Upgrade," 23 Mar. 2015
As for Buffalo, with all due respect, anyone who chooses to tough it out in Buffalo kinda deserves his fate, yeah?

— paul daugherty, Cincinnati.com, "Doc: MLS joy? Nope. At at the moment.," 17 Apr. 2018
While business leaders may try to tough out the spat, a Chinese policy adviser saw a bigger agenda at play.

— Bloomberg.com, "Top U.K. Banker Praises Xi’s ‘Authoritarian’ Leadership," 9 Apr. 2018
Instead, the Tigers toughed out a narrow road win over Georgia Tech before returning home to earn their first win over UNC since 2010 and only their second in their last 22 tries against the Tar Heels.

— molly geary, SI.com, "Power Rankings: Big Week for the SEC, Plus Four Teams Make Their Return," 31 Jan. 2018
Mom, Dad and their younger daughter try to tough out a dinner to which their pastor has invited himself and his wife.

— daryl h. miller, latimes.com, "The 99-Seat Beat: Celebrate Women's History Month with L.A.'s theaters," 23 Mar. 2018
The family toughed it out Friday night in hoodies and extra layers of blankets.

— meredith cohn, baltimoresun.com, "Thousands of Baltimore-area residents remain without power as a new storm approaches," 6 Mar. 2018
The upcoming road trip will tough on Fox The next three opponents all present challenges for Fox, as the Kings’ only healthy point guard.

— jason jones, sacbee, "Damian Lillard torches Sacramento Kings, De'Aaron Fox for 50 | The Sacramento Bee," 9 Feb. 2018

Origin and Etymology of tough

see ¹tough

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1830

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

TOUGH Defined for English Language Learners

tough

adjective

Definition of tough for English Language Learners

: very difficult to do or deal with
: physically and emotionally strong : able to do hard work, to deal with harsh conditions, etc.
: physically strong and violent

tough

adverb

Definition of tough for English Language Learners

: in a way that shows that you are strong or tough

tough

noun

Definition of tough for English Language Learners

: a tough and violent person

TOUGH Defined for Kids

tough

adjective \ ˈtəf \

Definition of tough for Students

tougher; toughest

1 : strong or firm but flexible and not brittle

tough fibers

tough leather

2 : not easily chewed

tough meat

3 : physically or emotionally strong enough to put up with strain or hardship

4 : very strict, firm, or determined

a tough coach

tough rules

5 : very difficult to do or deal with

We've had some tough times.

The math test was tough.

6 : lawless 2

a tough neighborhood

—

toughness

noun

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tough

Definition of tough

toughly

toughness

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Origin and Etymology of tough

tough Synonyms

Synonyms

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tough

Definition of tough

Examples of tough in a Sentence

Recent Examples of tough from the Web

Origin and Etymology of tough

tough

Definition of tough

Examples of tough in a Sentence

Recent Examples of tough from the Web

Origin and Etymology of tough

tough Synonyms

Synonyms

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tough

Definition of tough

Examples of tough in a Sentence

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Origin and Etymology of tough

TOUGH Defined for English Language Learners

tough

Definition of tough for English Language Learners

tough

Definition of tough for English Language Learners

tough

Definition of tough for English Language Learners

TOUGH Defined for Kids

tough

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toughness

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