1
2
as in crude
being such as found in nature and not altered by processing or refining
raw sugar is honey-colored because the crystals retain cane juices, minerals, and other impurities that haven't been refined out
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in inexperienced
lacking in adult experience or maturity
recruiters like to say the military turns raw youths into responsible men and women
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in turbulent
marked by wet and windy conditions
the day of the funeral turned out to be one of those bleak, blustery, raw winter days that was as gloomy as our spirits
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in chilling
uncomfortably cool
evenings in those mountains, even during the summer, tend to be a little raw
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in biting
causing intense discomfort to one's skin
bundle up if you're going sailing, as there's a raw wind out there in the bay
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in rampant
showing no signs of being under control
a frightening display of raw anger
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in naked
lacking or shed of clothing
a pristine stretch of sand where beachgoers commonly sunbathe raw
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in nudity
the state of having no clothes on one's body
a secluded swimming hole where we could swim in the raw
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 raw
Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2026
The production is raw but precise, a mechanical bull with adjustable shocks.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 13 Feb. 2026
Marley Dewey, The Conversation, 16 May 2025
These ones turn out amazing—topped with sugar in the raw.
—Bon Appétit Contributor, Bon Appétit, 22 Mar. 2024
See All Example Sentences for raw
Adjective
The restaurant was in violation of 12 standards, including raw beef left unattended and food stored on the floor.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2026
The production is raw but precise, a mechanical bull with adjustable shocks.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 13 Feb. 2026
Noun
If ingested raw, pathogens may remain on the surface of the placenta.
—Marley Dewey, The Conversation, 16 May 2025
These ones turn out amazing—topped with sugar in the raw.
—Bon Appétit Contributor, Bon Appétit, 22 Mar. 2024
See All Example Sentences for raw
Recent Examples of Synonyms for raw
Adjective
-
Potatoes last a few months if they're stored whole, uncooked, in a cool, dark, and well-ventilated place.—
Lauren David,
Southern Living,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Combining the sauce with the uncooked meat gives your chili a finer texture.—
Maryal Miller Carter,
USA Today,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
All of Quigley’s challengers are politically inexperienced but impassioned Democrats running to the incumbent’s left.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The most common complaints include denying legitimate claims, partnering with inexperienced and unqualified service providers, poor service, and slow response times.—
Sharon Brandwein,
USA Today,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The faces of those women represented an unbroken chain of those who survived turbulent histories before me.—
Lara N. Dotson-Renta,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
-
This is something that is common around young stars that have turbulent and violent environments, but is uncommon for stars as old as ASASSN-24fw, estimated to be around 1 billion years old.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The second feature from Finnish director Bergolm and shot in Lithuania, the chilling supernatural horror follows a couple, Saga (Seida Haarla) and Jon (Grint), who move to an isolated house in the forest.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The biggest break in the case came earlier this week, when chilling video from her porch was recovered and showed a suspect approaching her home during the window when authorities say she was likely taken.—
Liz Kreutz,
NBC news,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The Chill Factor Perhaps the most biting statistic of the season so far is the temperature.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Morbidly Jewish finds Raanan at his most biting, acerbic, angry, Jewish, and, as always…loud.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
5 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The City of Los Angeles has hired a firm to help relight the 6th Street Bridge, which has fallen victim to rampant copper theft in recent months, before the 2028 Summer Olympics head to town.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Cancers linked to these forever chemicals are rampant here.—
Dylan Jackson,
AJC.com,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Our mission to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to house the homeless, to teach the illiterate, to provide jobs for the jobless, and to choose the human race over the nuclear race.—
Cheryl Corley,
NPR,
17 Feb. 2026
-
The next iteration of the naked dress trend is officially all about putting a skimpy twist on knitwear.—
Meg Walters,
InStyle,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The finale, which focuses on a single subject (obsessed with and thus defensive of his own public nudity), comes closest to escaping a steady stream of antagonization and painting a nuanced portrait of what’s keeping a range of Americans from finding community.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
13 Feb. 2026
-
For her, public nudity and bold fashion are intentional performance art pieces, not the shocking publicity stunts or exploitation her art has been accused of being.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Raw.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/raw. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
