Synonyms of leathery

leathery

adjective

ˈle-t͟hə-rē 

as in tough

not easily chewed

the leathery meat served in the cafeteria drove many of us to start bringing our own lunches

Synonyms & Similar Words

• tough
• brittle
• chewy
• fibrous
• stringy
• sinewy
• crunchy
• hard
• gristly
• cardboardy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• tender
• soft
• mushy

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of leathery

Its windows framed the skyline through tangles of dark, leathery holm-oak leaves and, disorientingly, thick tree trunks rooted in enormous planters and secured against storms by vertical cables. — Eric Klinenberg, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026

This 2025 Best of Beauty Award winner is an earthy, leathery scent that opens with a cheerful pop of mandarin, which brightens up the richer notes of rose, osmanthus, and vetiver. — Kara Nesvig, Allure, 12 Aug. 2026

From there, the leathery red skin is easily peeled away (or popped out by squeezing from the opposite end) to reveal the fleshy white, glossy fruit that feels sort of like a grape without the peel. — Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 July 2026

Most bats have soft fur, large ears, leathery wings stretched over long finger bones, and tiny, sharp teeth designed for catching insects or feeding on nectar and fruit. — Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 24 July 2026