1
2
as in sturdy
able to withstand hardship, strain, or exposure
this is a tough plant that easily withstands harsh winters
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in harsh
difficult to endure
tough weather conditions on the top of the mountain all year long
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort
even if you study for it, it's still a tough exam
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5
as in sensitive
requiring exceptional skill or caution in performance or handling
handled a tough situation with the aplomb and tact of a true diplomat
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in strict
given to exacting standards of discipline and self-restraint
a tough supervisor who docked the pay of anyone who punched in late, no matter what the reason
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in bully
a violent, brutal person who is often a member of an organized gang
didn't want her son hanging out with the neighborhood toughs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tough
Liana Handler, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
The court system will have to sort out the mess here, but there are some tough lessons to be learned from following your heart down a path that leaves you in a spot where nudes are allegedly flying around.
—Sean Joseph Outkick, FOXNews.com, 14 May 2026
Josh Shepardson, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Doing so with a CVS receipt-long injury list is all kinds of tough.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tough
Adjective
The fans’ positivity offset the emotionally tough road back from left elbow surgery to fix a tear in Hernández’s tendon.
—Liana Handler, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
The court system will have to sort out the mess here, but there are some tough lessons to be learned from following your heart down a path that leaves you in a spot where nudes are allegedly flying around.
—Sean Joseph Outkick, FOXNews.com, 14 May 2026
Noun
Meanwhile, a running back on the underdog 49ers will find the sledding tough on the ground, providing gamblers with a desirable rushing under to bet.
—Josh Shepardson, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Doing so with a CVS receipt-long injury list is all kinds of tough.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tough
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tough
Adjective
-
Humans get bitable closeups; blocking and mise-en-scene are often thrilling, and a whole array of genre-chewy material allows the cast to get their shining moments.—
Ritesh Mehta,
IndieWire,
17 May 2026
-
While Rickie Fowler and Ludvig Åberg chatted with their caddies, DeChambeau took a bunch of practice swings and chomped on a piece of beef jerky with more aggression than even chewy meat merits.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
Reintroduced as Aqua Lares in late 2025, the 254-footer is comfortable in the harshest of environments, with a sturdy ice-class hull that can power through practically anything.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
15 May 2026
-
Optimize the wall space by placing belts and bags on sturdy hooks.—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
15 May 2026
Adjective
-
The scheme has been so successful, law enforcement has created a joint FBI-National Security Division task force to disrupt the operations and have dealt a series of harsh prison terms to American accomplices who have willingly aided the North Koreans.—
Amanda Gerut,
Fortune,
14 May 2026
-
To fully embody her OnlyFans persona, an earthside alien named The Hungry Ghost, who offers mild nudity and harsh criticism of her willing subscribers’ genitalia.—
Alli Rosenbloom,
CNN Money,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
When Thomson went through a difficult divorce, in 2014, Djena would often check in on her, showing up at her door with food.—
Yudhijit Bhattacharjee,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
-
Crow-Armstrong had just failed to make a highly difficult, leaping catch at the wall.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
18 May 2026
Adjective
-
Auditors typically treat unattributable privileged actions as accountability gaps, because the framework expects sensitive operations to trace back to an accountable individual rather than an autonomous system.—
Janakiram MSV,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
-
In addition, some companies and governments may pair that with quantum key cryptography, particularly for highly sensitive information.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN Money,
17 May 2026
Adjective
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And Shuter is also reporting that Lively wanted a strict NDA during settlement negotiations, but the Baldoni camp refused.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
11 May 2026
-
Baltimore residents support stricter penalties Parents who spoke to WJZ-TV supported stricter penalties.—
Drew Aunkst,
CBS News,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
As our book makes clear, only collective action can neutralize a bully.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Time,
11 May 2026
-
With the big bad bully on the Western Conference block, the Edmonton Oilers, getting sent home early from the big dance, coupled with Marner's stellar play, Vegas could find its way back to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time since winning it all three seasons ago.—
Austin Perry OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
9 May 2026
Adjective
-
Oaks also produce superior leaf litter with thick, leathery leaves that can take up to three years to break down, thereby sheltering beneficial insects and protecting topsoil.—
Luke Miller,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 May 2026
-
Its large, dark green, leathery leaves measure 6 to 12 inches long, and remain on the tree year-round in warm climates.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tough.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tough. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
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