always used before a noun
1
: disorderly, loud, and rough
a rough-and-tumble group of soccer fans
a rough-and-tumble game
2
: very competitive and aggressive
the rough-and-tumble world of politics
a rough-and-tumble competitor
Cite this Entry
“Rough-and-tumble.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/rough-and-tumble. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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