1
as in sturdy
able to withstand hardship, strain, or exposure
a rugged construction that survived for hundreds of years
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2
as in tough
difficult to endure
the incredibly rugged conditions that the polar explorers faced
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3
as in gruff
harsh and threatening in manner or appearance
the warrior's rugged features frightened the child
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4
as in muscular
having muscles capable of exerting great physical force
a rugged athlete who's competing in weight lifting in the Olympics
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5
as in jagged
not having a level or smooth surface
rugged terrain that made for slow going
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6
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort
even more rugged than most ultramarathons, this one crosses a desert
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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
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8
as in crass
lacking in refinement or good taste
the kind of rugged humor that men have traditionally enjoyed at stag parties
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rugged
The area, characterized by rugged terrain and dense forests, has been the focal point of search efforts.
—
Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 June 2025
Buffalo, on the other hand, will be coming off a game against rugged Kansas City.
—Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 27 June 2025
An aerial view of the property, which rests on 10 secluded acres in the rugged mountains between Malibu and Calabasas.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 27 June 2025
The cowboy, that paragon of rugged individualism, stands for stoicism and a wordless sweaty brotherhood.
—Philip Martin, Arkansas Online, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for rugged
Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 June 2025
Buffalo, on the other hand, will be coming off a game against rugged Kansas City.
—Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 27 June 2025
An aerial view of the property, which rests on 10 secluded acres in the rugged mountains between Malibu and Calabasas.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 27 June 2025
The cowboy, that paragon of rugged individualism, stands for stoicism and a wordless sweaty brotherhood.
—Philip Martin, Arkansas Online, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for rugged
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rugged
Adjective
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The Gritti’s dock-manager to Grazer’s left, foreground right in the shot, may be suspicious that his sturdy right elbow, offered for support during that parlous little leap from land to sea, is being roundly ignored.—
Guy Martin,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
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Persons in campgrounds should consider seeking sturdy shelter until this storm passes.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
29 June 2025
Adjective
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Even these young players already have major tournament experience — a huge strength given their tough group.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
28 June 2025
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Nor is anything that tough necessary to prevent chronic illness.—
Carolyn Rosenblatt,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
Adjective
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With a deep, gruff voice and animus toward humanity, McCarthy was an unusual dance-music star when Nitzer Ebb started notching chart hits.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
12 June 2025
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Two months ago, the world lost a gruff and burly guitar player named Al Barile.—
Kelefa Sanneh,
New Yorker,
11 June 2025
Adjective
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Leading clinicians are combining pharmacologic tools with root-cause strategies, starting with metabolic health, hormone balance, nervous system regulation and muscular integrity.—
Ximena Araya-Fischel,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2025
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Johnson, who gained fame for his muscular physique and controversial raw meat diet, was charged with making terroristic threats, a Class B misdemeanor.—
Doc Louallen,
ABC News,
25 June 2025
Adjective
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When Squid Game first flung us into its arena of despair, questioning the status quo was the series’ fuel, and its narrative rhythm had the jagged urgency of that initial run of Red Light, Green Light.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
27 June 2025
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Another photo features a marshal with a long-range precision rifle mounted on a bipod, stationed on jagged ground with dramatic peaks in the backdrop.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
24 June 2025
Adjective
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James is playing the final year of his contract at $52.6 million, which is a very difficult number for teams to pay.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 July 2025
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Our models and expertise can sniff out the broad parameters, but the precise location and timing of moisture plumes, training (quasi-stationary rain cells), and forcing mechanism can be difficult.—
Marshall Shepherd,
Forbes.com,
5 July 2025
Adjective
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Even Zelensky – who has had a turbulent relationship with Trump – came away with wins.—
Joseph Ataman,
CNN Money,
25 June 2025
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Reina, Fil-Am team center back, brings us on this turbulent journey, culminating in an intimate trip to her grandmother’s hometown in the Philippines.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
25 June 2025
Adjective
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Most Popular Most Popular Asking Eric: The parents refuse to cut their trip short despite their teen’s crisis Asking Eric: The parents refuse to cut their trip short despite their teen's crisis Dear Abby: Is there a way to tell the crass shirttail relations that they’re not invited?—
Nathan Canilao,
Mercury News,
10 May 2025
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But beyond the crass remarks about Read, experts say less explosive messages about Proctor's early opinions of the investigation could be damning.—
Julia Bonavita , Michael Ruiz,
FOXNews.com,
3 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rugged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rugged. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.
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