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
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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

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
The Aquarius last quarter moon puts you in a raw mood. Usa Today, USA Today, 9 May 2026 By that standard, the field of viable revival candidates is much smaller than the raw inventory suggests. Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 9 May 2026
Noun
They can even be blanched or used raw in salads. Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 13 Jan. 2026 Once the nuts are washed, dried, de-husked and de-shelled, they can either be cooked or prepared raw. Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 9 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for raw
Recent Examples of Synonyms for raw
Adjective
  • Lift edges of egg and let uncooked portion flow underneath.
    Lizzy Briskin, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Apr. 2026
  • Once customers are seated and have ordered, a rolling robot blasting energetic tunes will turn the corner with their uncooked items.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Raman, who had endorsed Bass’ reelection before throwing her hat in at the last minute, came off as inexperienced, touchy and unprepared.
    Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
  • They were throttled from start to finish, giving a young and inexperienced Spurs team plenty of confidence that Monday’s loss was nothing more than a fluke.
    Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 7 May 2026
Adjective
  • Overall, it's been a turbulent year for cyber stocks.
    Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 9 May 2026
  • The sudden retirement comes after a turbulent year for the division in which the program’s full-time employees were laid off.
    O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 8 May 2026
Adjective
  • The dinner scene with Niall’s mum, Lori (Neve McIntosh), and Ruben’s mum, Maura (Marianne McIvor) — when Joanna confronts them over Ruben’s behaviour — is both chilling and cathartic.
    K.J. Yossman, Variety, 8 May 2026
  • With the ubiquity of artificial intelligence, this revival is a chilling night at the theatre, Helen Shaw writes.
    Austin Elias-de Jesus, New Yorker, 7 May 2026
Adjective
  • Netflix’s big comedy bet might be the Dan Levy–Rachel Sennott co-creation Big Mistakes; the biting, farcical series about adult siblings who get caught up in the drug business plays like Weeds crossed with The Other Two.
    Joe Reid, Vulture, 2 May 2026
  • The tracks are more vulnerable, biting, and self-aware than ever, and in some cases, feature lyrics pulled right out of Hjelt’s diary.
    Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Amid rampant social media speculation, a spokesperson for the investment company has said that Fidelity is actually growing and that the changes to its technology and product operating model are not about cutting costs.
    Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 7 May 2026
  • Billboards strike me as an obvious metonym for our rampant consumerism, but maybe that, too, is only half the picture.
    Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 6 May 2026
Adjective
  • Blessed with wide fields of view, binoculars reveal the night sky beyond the reach of the naked eye, able to give excellent views of large and bright deep-sky objects — including star clusters and nebulas and the occasional galaxy (as well as the star-fields in the arc of the Milky Way).
    Jamie Carter, Space.com, 28 Apr. 2026
  • Talley then fled naked from the hospital and soon was recaptured.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • In her lawsuit, Lively said that during filming, Baldoni made inappropriate comments about her appearance, violated physical boundaries while filming a love scene, and pushed for nudity — against Lively’s wishes — during a scene in which her character was giving birth.
    Michael R. Sisak, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2026
  • Some of the characters kiss each other, but there aren't any explicit interactions, graphic scenes or nudity.
    Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Raw.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/raw. Accessed 12 May. 2026.

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