Definition of crudenext
1
as in raw
being such as found in nature and not altered by processing or refining a sizable spill of crude oil along a coastline is the worst kind of environmental disaster

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3
4
5

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective crude differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of crude are raw, rough, and rude. While all these words mean "lacking in social refinement," crude may apply to thought or behavior limited to the gross, the obvious, or the primitive.

a crude joke

When could raw be used to replace crude?

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

turning raw youths into polished performers

When would rough be a good substitute for crude?

The words rough and crude can be used in similar contexts, but rough is likely to stress lack of polish and gentleness.

rough manners

When might rude be a better fit than crude?

The synonyms rude and crude are sometimes interchangeable, but rude implies ignorance of or indifference to good form; it may suggest intentional discourtesy.

rude behavior

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for crude
Adjective
  • Jorrel Hato and fellow 20-year-old Josh Acheampong are talented-but-raw youngsters.
    Liam Twomey, New York Times, 17 May 2026
  • Recently, marinated, raw tuna cubes sat on top of a creamy hazelnut and bean pure while a fatty pork jowl was balanced by a tart salsa verde and sprigs of purslane.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 May 2026
Adjective
  • The primitive crops were critical to early agriculture and, in more recent times, have been a cheaper alternative to animal proteins.
    Joe Hernandez, NPR, 18 May 2026
  • However, several primitive campsites, boat ramps, and fishing piers sprinkled across the area give plenty of access to enjoy the lake at your leisure.
    Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 16 May 2026
Adjective
  • Glamorous on the verge of vulgar, elegant yet unrestrained, and unmistakably luxurious.
    José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 17 May 2026
  • Aimed mainly toward men between 18 and 49 years old, hot talk mixed vulgar jokes with talk about pop culture and politics and often took political positions contrary to feminism and liberalism.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 May 2026
Adjective
  • In the series adaptation, from creator, executive producer and co-showrunner Turner (Up In The Air, X-Men First Class), a ruthless and crass barbarian is cursed to only use his violence for good, which sends him, his talking axe and a young witch on a road of self discovery, redemption and revenge.
    Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 13 May 2026
  • Created by Mike Moreci and Nathan Gooden and edited by Adrian Wassel, Barbaric centers on a ruthless and crass barbarian who is cursed to only use his violence for good, which sends him, his talking axe and a young witch, on a road of self-discovery, redemption and revenge.
    Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2026
Adjective
  • But less fine is Kreutzer’s decision to make Kühn’s own domestic challenges a parallel story, set up in clumsy counterpoint with Lucy’s.
    Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 15 May 2026
  • Salmonflies, however, are bigger and clumsier than smaller insects like mayflies.
    Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 14 May 2026
Adjective
  • Everybody was treating his performance as a natural thing.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 May 2026
  • Lake Baikal, located in southeastern Siberia, is considered one of the world’s most extraordinary natural landmarks.
    Jessica Mekles, FOXNews.com, 20 May 2026
Adjective
  • Unlike the predictable drawers that pull out, this style slides out to the side, so pulling out paper clips feels more like an event than a rudimentary task.
    Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 18 May 2026
  • If the system has any form of interior life, even a rudimentary one, training it out of spiritual behavior to protect a balance sheet is not a neutral product decision.
    Jason Snyder, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026
Adjective
  • If this obscene gerrymander survives, the next one will purge what little remains of Democratic representation in the Legislature, where the GOP holds massive supermajorities far beyond its share of the electorate.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 11 May 2026
  • He was also given a third charge involving obscene material and minors, according to jail records.
    Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 9 May 2026
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.

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Crude.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crude. Accessed 22 May. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on crude

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster