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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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

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 crude Syria exports first crude oil shipment since 2010 Syria is seeing promising signs of revival nine months after the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime and the end of a 14-year civil war. Tasneem Nashrulla, semafor.com, 4 Sep. 2025 China and India the biggest buyers of Russian crude oil. Robert Birsel shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025 Most experts claim that this year’s affordable fuel costs have to do with the price of crude oil, which currently sits at $63.92 per barrel (at the time of publication of this article). Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 25 Aug. 2025 Analysts expect no relief for at least a month, even though the Russian government imposed a ban on exporting petrol in late July - which in turn contributed to a rise in exports of crude oil instead. Tim Lister, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for crude
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crude
Adjective
  • Photo-illustration by Newsweek/Getty/Canva JPMorgan Chase saw one of the biggest jumps in raw numbers, with approvals climbing from 1,719 to 2,440, an increase of 721.
    Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Adopt zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs) and multiparty computation (MPC) to validate identity attributes without exposing the raw data, making synthetic identity theft less profitable.
    Rohan Pinto, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Instead of blasting in all directions, like a primitive roadside bomb, an EFP directs and concentrates the force of its explosion.
    Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 2 Sep. 2025
  • The body shell, fenders, and low-slung doors were hung on a ladder-type frame, primitive compared to the unibody MGB roadster that debuted in 1962.
    Robert Ross, Robb Report, 29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Gilliam is not contesting states' rights to ban profane, sexualized or vulgar plates.
    Angele Latham, The Tennessean, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Two Beal City high schoolers received thousands of vulgar text messages from an unknown sender for months.
    Natalie Davies, Freep.com, 3 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
Adjective
  • Chris and Emilia’s conversation is suddenly interrupted by a premature explosion, which was caused by a clumsy member of a militia group called the Sons of Liberty.
    Scott Meslow, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Tiny, slow and clumsy — these hatchlings are an easy snack for predators.
    Diaa Hadid, NPR, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Merino wool also has natural temperature-regulating and odor-controlling properties—both of which are ideal for hiking.
    Anne Taylor, Travel + Leisure, 5 Sep. 2025
  • How much of this summer’s leap is down to the rules and how much is just the natural order of football is open to interpretation.
    Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Those humans who were good at it, even in its most rudimentary forms, would have a real advantage.
    Elissa Strauss, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2025
  • But most users do not yet have passkeys on their accounts and still rely on passwords, perhaps with some rudimentary form of 2FA.
    Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The couple quickly began receiving death threats and obscene phone calls.
    Johnny Dodd, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Banners or signs may not be commercial in nature or obscene, or cause any disturbance to other fans.
    Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 2 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Crude.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crude. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

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