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

Relevance

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

7
8

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
Inside one of those flip-top coolers, raw shell eggs measured 59 degrees, 18 degrees above maximum for proper food safety. David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 26 June 2026 The MiG-25 also sacrificed maneuverability for raw speed. Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 26 June 2026
Noun
Black Krrsantan Unlike Chewbacca, this Wookiee warrior would have downed that porg raw. Brian Truitt, USA Today, 3 May 2026 The warning stopped short of a recall and urged consumers not to eat the shellfish raw. David K. Li, NBC news, 10 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for raw
Recent Examples of Synonyms for raw
Adjective
  • The raw food diet emphasizes eating uncooked and minimally processed foods.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 June 2026
  • Cooked and uncooked shellfish — including their juices — should be kept separate to avoid contamination.
    Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 1 June 2026
Adjective
  • So there’s already a natural connection between Steinbach and Anderson.
    Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 24 June 2026
  • In their draft pick and salary cap reality, a trade seems possible, and the above teams would all be natural candidates for a variety of reasons.
    Tony East, Forbes.com, 24 June 2026
Adjective
  • Over the same period, entry-level head count at the high-intensity firms rose 12%, contradicting predictions and fears that young or inexperienced workers would be most at risk of losing their jobs to AI.
    Rachel Barber, USA Today, 1 July 2026
  • Immer and Lois work with land stewards to find projects that make sense for eager but often inexperienced volunteers.
    Pedro Moura, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
Adjective
  • Weaker global markets, which have impacted tech stock valuations, and the turbulent performance of SpaceX’s recent massive IPO were among the top concerns cited by insiders who have made the case that patience is a virtue.
    John Kell, Fortune, 1 July 2026
  • His confirmation closes one of the most turbulent presidential searches in UF history.
    Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 1 July 2026
Adjective
  • Hearing that growl, that was bone chilling, but working with the jaguar was awesome.
    Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 June 2026
  • Open-government advocates said the bill would have a chilling effect on the public’s ability to access records.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2026
Adjective
  • So Google isn’t trying to release more biting mosquitoes into neighborhoods.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 12 June 2026
  • 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
Adjective
  • The report fueled rampant speculation as fans scrambled to scrutinize the duo's interactions in interviews and on the red carpet.
    Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 25 June 2026
  • Wilde’s 2022 psychological thriller, headlined by Florence Pugh and Harry Styles, descended into tabloid chaos amid rampant speculation over an apparent feud between Pugh and Wilde, plus the romance between Wilde and Styles that allegedly originated during production.
    Zack Sharf, Variety, 24 June 2026
Adjective
  • The North America Nebula is too faint to see with the naked eye.
    Anthony Wood, Space.com, 2 July 2026
  • Eadweard Muybridge, among the first to put pictures in motion, knew by instinct that many of those pictures should contain naked people.
    Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Raw.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/raw. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on raw

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster