Definition of crudenext
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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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for crude
Adjective
  • Few places exemplify the raw, untamed beauty of Ireland’s west coast as this natural wonder set along what’s known as the country’s Wild Atlantic Way.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Mar. 2026
  • Described by the band as one of their most raw and uncompromising records yet, DEAR GOD was built around diaristic songwriting, vulnerability and artistic freedom.
    Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 14 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Take a boat to the primitive island of Palmarola, and swim near volcanic sea stacks.
    Kristina Kasparian, Travel + Leisure, 15 Mar. 2026
  • In November 1985, the company launched Windows, a graphical operating environment layered on top of its operating system MS-DOS, which is primitive by modern standards, but radical for its time.
    Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Lewd and vulgar language is banned.
    Matt Schooley, CBS News, 14 Mar. 2026
  • Bauder admonished the crowd several times for being too noisy, and police removed a protester who yelled vulgar comments.
    Heather Hollingsworth, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The beloved slapstick comedy is 85 minutes of pure entertainment, full of increasingly chaotic adventures and shockingly crass jokes that still produce guffaws decades later.
    Rachel Simon, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2026
  • In a not crass way, no matter what your vice of choice is, someone who enables that behavior, even just by being there, is a really relatable idea.
    Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • But weighting the draft odds is a delicate business — and one the Bulls remain committed to approaching with a clumsy commitment to competitiveness.
    Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026
  • Kurt's key takeaway Scammers are no longer relying only on clumsy emails or obvious red flags.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Head’s up—the property is designed to get you out of the rooms and enjoying Baja’s natural wonders, or even the property’s own amenities like the spa, infinity pool, and the open-air common area known as the living room (hammocks, rattan lounge pillows).
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Mar. 2026
  • Ajimal noted that mills are exploring fibers like pineapple, banana, soy, ramie and silk blends—alternatives that offer various natural properties, promote recyclability and even biodegradability—though they’re being adopted at a much slower pace.
    Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The puppetry, rudimentary special effects, and unflattering costumes mark it as a distinctly Adult Swim show.
    Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2026
  • Yet standard neurological imaging, such as MRI scans, almost never detects abnormalities, and most physicians, who understand the symptoms’ basis in only the most rudimentary sense, can offer little useful counsel.
    Jacob Stern, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Using obscene or abusive language Any use of profanity, insults or abusive language is prohibited under the FDCPA.
    Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026
  • Pawula was investigated after Hastings lodged a complaint with state police, but charges of harassment through electronic communication and transmitting obscene messages were dropped.
    Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 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.

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Cite this Entry

“Crude.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crude. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.

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