Definition of rudenext
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as in crude
being such as found in nature and not altered by processing or refining rude pelts that were sent to Europe to be fashioned into elegant hats and coats

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective rude differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of rude are crude, raw, and rough. While all these words mean "lacking in social refinement," rude implies ignorance of or indifference to good form; it may suggest intentional discourtesy.

rude behavior

Where would crude be a reasonable alternative to rude?

The words crude and rude are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, crude may apply to thought or behavior limited to the gross, the obvious, or the primitive.

a crude joke

When would raw be a good substitute for rude?

In some situations, the words raw and rude are roughly equivalent. However, raw suggests being untested, inexperienced, or unfinished.

turning raw youths into polished performers

When is rough a more appropriate choice than rude?

The synonyms rough and rude are sometimes interchangeable, but rough is likely to stress lack of polish and gentleness.

rough manners

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of rude Bruno hopes that the society of the future will value not only rude health but good storytelling. Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026 At the window, an employee later identified as Phillips took his order and remained rude, the victim told police. Robert A. Cronkleton march 24, Kansas City Star, 24 Mar. 2026 Other complaints from the boys included rude police officers and strict rules. Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 21 Mar. 2026 While Ward’s speed made for a rude welcoming, the most notable part of Cole’s day was his velocity. Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 18 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rude
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rude
Adjective
  • That framing, whether intentional or not, is disrespectful, dismissive and demeaning.
    Terri Freeman, Baltimore Sun, 25 Mar. 2026
  • Why the day's namesake is disrespectful to some What has the White House said?
    Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • But it’s played sincerely, so the visual contrast just makes the connection feel clumsy, if not outright absurd.
    Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 23 Mar. 2026
  • McGee meets one of a clumsy TURF intern Pete, who is revealed to be Olivia's 18-year-old son, Matteo (Patrick Keleher) under interrogation.
    Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 18 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • For example, synthetic blastoids develop a blastocoel cavity and the three main cell types (epiblast, trophectoderm, and primitive endoderm) within one week, just like natural blastocysts.
    Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 28 Mar. 2026
  • There are nine primitive, tent-only sites without electric access.
    Aurora Beacon-News, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The beloved slapstick comedy is 85 minutes of pure entertainment, full of increasingly chaotic adventures and shockingly crass jokes that still produce guffaws decades later.
    Rachel Simon, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2026
  • In a not crass way, no matter what your vice of choice is, someone who enables that behavior, even just by being there, is a really relatable idea.
    Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Ashley Johnson and star/executive producer Travis Willingham tee up what's coming for their soft barbarian lady.
    Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Oct. 2025
  • As a benevolent barbarian warrior in the mythical land of Hyrkania, Sonja is enslaved and imprisoned by the ecocidal emperor known as Draygan (Robert Sheehan).
    Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Across Southern California, e-bike popularity has soared, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic — with a disportionate number of young riders ignorant or ignoring the rules of the road, authorities say, leading to crashes and in some cases fatalities.
    Nathaniel Percy, Oc Register, 20 Mar. 2026
  • Having access to knowledge and being able to collectively reflect are rights too precious to surrender to those who prefer us ignorant.
    Megan Thiele Strong, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Some do this flippantly, but reader Robin suggested drivers who do this do not care and are flat-out discourteous.
    Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 11 Jan. 2026
  • In 2014, he was found to have been discourteous and used force.
    Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The crash occurred at Tempe in northern Greece after a passenger train was placed on the wrong track, into the path of an oncoming freight train — an astonishing lapse on a rudimentary rail network.
    ABC News, ABC News, 23 Mar. 2026
  • The puppetry, rudimentary special effects, and unflattering costumes mark it as a distinctly Adult Swim show.
    Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Rude.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rude. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.

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