1
as in sturdy
able to withstand hardship, strain, or exposure
a rugged construction that survived for hundreds of years
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in tough
difficult to endure
the incredibly rugged conditions that the polar explorers faced
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in gruff
harsh and threatening in manner or appearance
the warrior's rugged features frightened the child
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in muscular
having muscles capable of exerting great physical force
a rugged athlete who's competing in weight lifting in the Olympics
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in jagged
not having a level or smooth surface
rugged terrain that made for slow going
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort
even more rugged than most ultramarathons, this one crosses a desert
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in turbulent
marked by turmoil or disturbance especially of natural elements
New Hampshire's Mount Washington has some of the ruggedest weather in all of North America
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in crass
lacking in refinement or good taste
the kind of rugged humor that men have traditionally enjoyed at stag parties
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 rugged
While both are excellent and have similarly rugged designs, the Everboom seems to boom a bit bigger outside.
—
Jed Gottlieb, Boston Herald, 31 Aug. 2025
Located in northwestern Montana, Glacier National Park is known for its rugged terrain, dramatic scenery, and active wildlife, including one of the densest populations of grizzly bears in the lower 48 states.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
The win kicked off a rugged stretch to start the season for Byron Nelson.
—Mike Waters, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Aug. 2025
While plenty of Minis – and even classic supercars – have been subjected to electric conversions, the Zambezi stays true to its rugged roots.
—New Atlas, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rugged
Jed Gottlieb, Boston Herald, 31 Aug. 2025
Located in northwestern Montana, Glacier National Park is known for its rugged terrain, dramatic scenery, and active wildlife, including one of the densest populations of grizzly bears in the lower 48 states.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
The win kicked off a rugged stretch to start the season for Byron Nelson.
—Mike Waters, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Aug. 2025
While plenty of Minis – and even classic supercars – have been subjected to electric conversions, the Zambezi stays true to its rugged roots.
—New Atlas, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rugged
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rugged
Adjective
-
The Alchemist became known for his sample-heavy work, often mining disco, soul and R&B records from the 1970s and 1980s for snippets that became the foundations of his sturdy but atmospheric productions.—
Christine Werthman,
Billboard,
14 Aug. 2025
-
The bottoms have a sturdy rubber sole with traction that grips the ground, which is also helpful for unpredictable fall weather.—
Nicol Natale,
People.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The tennis champ told Flaunt Magazine that after guiding her younger sister through some tough times, she’s decided to play the part of the cool older sister instead.—
Emily Blackwood,
People.com,
28 Aug. 2025
-
To preserve hundreds of millions of dollars in federal grants and contracts, Columbia and Brown have struck deals with the administration that cost them $220 million and $50 million, respectively, and go far beyond pledging tougher action to combat antisemitism.—
Peter Elkind,
ProPublica,
27 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Landon was also famous for his double act with Victor French who played the gruff outdoor-living Isaiah Edwards in Little House.—
Caroline Reid,
Forbes.com,
31 Aug. 2025
-
The new film from the husband-and-lesbian-wife duo Ethan Coen and Tricia Cooke features Margaret Qualley playing gay (again) as the titular detective Honey, with Aubrey Plaza co-starring as a gruff cop who is the object of her affections.—
James Factora,
Them.,
21 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Gritty period action with a muscular cast, including Reacher star Ritchson, positions this for mainstream distributors looking for elevated genre fare.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
26 Aug. 2025
-
The Saja Boys members all have distinct personalities, but the same CG body — except for Abby Saja, who made fans swoon with his muscular physique.—
Christopher Rudolph,
People.com,
23 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The cast rattles off the snappy dialogue, jagged with tension and menace, in performances that wink just slyly enough at the wry, knowing way that the characters deploy—and embody—gangland stereotypes.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
28 Aug. 2025
-
At Helligdomsklipperne, waves slam against jagged rock—echoing through hidden caves.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
24 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Auburn, of the big, bad SEC, rolls into a difficult environment at Baylor – with the entire college football world watching the primetime game – and blows a tire against a wildly underrated Big 12 team.—
Matt Hayes,
The Tennessean,
30 Aug. 2025
-
Keeping the festival free each year is an increasingly difficult task, but a rewarding effort, said Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation (DJFF) president and artistic director Chris Collins.—
Duante Beddingfield,
Freep.com,
30 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
After a turbulent few weeks, things only became more tense when Sean McLaughlin and Allyshia Gupta claimed to have information that could destroy the relationship.—
Liza Esquibias,
People.com,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Parubiy embodied Ukraine’s turbulent modern history.—
Katya Soldak,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Edwards, along with protesting comrade Tom Hopper (Raife Hastings) and crass CIA contractor Jules Landry (Luke Hemsworth) join a secret CIA unit fighting terrorism in Europe.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
28 Aug. 2025
-
Liverpool fans know how hurtful crass chants can be.—
Simon Hughes,
New York Times,
19 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rugged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rugged. Accessed 4 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share