raw 1 of 2

Definition of rawnext
1
as in uncooked
not cooked you should wash your hands after handling raw chicken

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
4
5
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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raw

2 of 2

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

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
Add the chicken, sausage, and shrimp and simmer for 2 minutes, until heated through (or slightly longer if using raw shrimp). Robin Miller, AZCentral.com, 27 Feb. 2026 The videos allegedly show the dog coming out from behind a piece of furniture with red raw patches of skin missing. Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 27 Feb. 2026
Noun
Lina is played by the ghoulishly-great Betty Gilpin, who does in her craft what real-life Lina does in her soul—glitter in the raw. Denise Petski, Deadline, 4 June 2025 If ingested raw, pathogens may remain on the surface of the placenta. Marley Dewey, The Conversation, 16 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for raw
Recent Examples of Synonyms for raw
Adjective
  • Instead of burning your fingers, light a piece of uncooked spaghetti.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 5 Mar. 2026
  • Fresh ingredients like salads, raw eggs, and uncooked vegetables often become mush when defrosted.
    Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 24 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • The officer said the review was needed because an inexperienced employee handled James’ initial vetting.
    Gisela Salomon, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2026
  • In the book, Krakauer is critical of the guiding companies for leading inexperienced climbers up the mountain despite the extreme dangers.
    Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • In the waters off Singapore, a recently uncovered a shipwreck with a huge cargo of blue-and-white porcelain is shedding light on the storied Chinese craft produced during the turbulent era of the Mongol Empire.
    Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 28 Feb. 2026
  • Now 85 years old, Dupart came of age in the turbulent 1960s, when racial tensions exploded and voices cried to be heard.
    Edie Kasten, CBS News, 28 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • The length of the cold stratification process varies by species, so Phillips recommends looking up each plant’s specific chilling requirement and planning accordingly.
    Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 26 Feb. 2026
  • The state of Florida’s defense of their bill to the Eleventh Circuit is chilling.
    James Folta, Literary Hub, 25 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
  • Nance proposed bringing the story of rampant fraud to a handpicked journalist, who would interview a suspect cooperating with police, a retailer and someone whose identity had been stolen for the scam.
    Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
  • Perched between China and India, ​the country of 30 million people has been plagued ​for ⁠decades by political instability, crippling a largely agrarian economy and worsening unemployment – structural issues compounded by rampant corruption.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The two look so similar to the naked eye that no one had questioned the classification — until biologists examined its mitochondrial genome.
    Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 3 Mar. 2026
  • And while the ’90s and early aughts had boobs, the 2020s saw the phenomenon of a new asset thanks to the fashion trend of naked dressing.
    Elise Taylor, Vanity Fair, 3 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • In the visuals, Robyn portrays a literal and more metaphoric bareness—there’s nudity, yes, but also a rawness to her look.
    José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 25 Feb. 2026
  • Apple also pointed to a feature the company offers called Communication Safety that warns children and blurs the image when nudity is detected while receiving or attempting to send content and displays a warning.
    Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 19 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Raw.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/raw. Accessed 7 Mar. 2026.

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