raw 1 of 2

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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

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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

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raw

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noun

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

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective raw differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of raw are crude, rough, and rude. While all these words mean "lacking in social refinement," raw suggests being untested, inexperienced, or unfinished.

turning raw youths into polished performers

When might crude be a better fit than raw?

The words crude and raw can be used in similar contexts, but crude may apply to thought or behavior limited to the gross, the obvious, or the primitive.

a crude joke

When could rough be used to replace raw?

The meanings of rough and raw largely overlap; however, rough is likely to stress lack of polish and gentleness.

rough manners

When is rude a more appropriate choice than raw?

The words rude and raw are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 raw
Adjective
Thawing duck and already thawed raw pork and raw beef sat in the three-compartment sink instead of the refrigerator. David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 11 Oct. 2025 Contextualizing the rate of crashes versus the raw tallies presents more challenges, to say nothing of finding a cause. Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 11 Oct. 2025
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
  • High-temperature cooking methods such as grilling, broiling, roasting, frying and searing can increase AGE content in food up to 100-fold compared to uncooked versions, according to a 2004 Mount Sinai study that measured AGE content under laboratory conditions.
    Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Refrigerate uncooked cookie dough between batches.
    Robin Miller, AZCentral.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The plants in the kingdom were designed to convert crude oil directly into chemical products.
    Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 13 Oct. 2025
  • Yet for every tonne of biodiesel produced, over 220 pounds (100 kilograms) of crude glycerol is generated.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The inexperienced head coach has sensibly made only minor tweaks since taking over, sticking with the compact, direct football that has served Brentford so well.
    Phil Hay, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Scaloni, whose team finished in first place in South American World Cup qualifying, was using Friday’s match, and the Tuesday match against Puerto Rico at Chase Stadium, to integrate some of the younger and inexperienced players on the roster.
    Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The Nintendo Switch era has been turbulent for the franchise, to put it mildly.
    Ryan Gaur, Rolling Stone, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Now, in an increasingly turbulent world, those barriers are going back up.
    Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • As a diverse group of characters face a chilling mix of supernatural and existential terror, the anthology series will explore the hidden fears and social anxieties of our time, according to a logline from the producers.
    Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Tips for flawless crinkle cookies Don’t rush the chilling time.
    Robin Miller, AZCentral.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • But usually the administration official doesn’t fight back in such a biting way.
    David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Over nearly three decades, Baumbach has built a career chronicling families in crisis and artists at the crossroads, his films combining biting wit with an unflinching emotional honesty.
    Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • What makes the Gen Z movement so dangerous to African leaders is that the continent is home to some of the world’s poorest countries, and unemployment is rampant, particularly among young people who make up over half of the population.
    Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2025
  • The race for the two Western Conference wild-card places is coming down to a four-way shootout this weekend, with the Bulls needing a victory over the rampant division leaders to avoid relying on at least one of Real Salt Lake, Colorado Rapids and San Jose Earthquakes dropping points.
    Jack Bantock, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The naked baby angel boy character with whimsical headgear comes in different forms—from regular, mini dolls to the popular Hippers, which are designed to hang from your phone or laptop with a square of adhesive tape.
    Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Oh, perfect naked cherubs running down the trail through the trees!
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Raw.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/raw. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.

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