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
There were no food handler cards available, some raw chicken was stored above the noodles and the area around the outdoor grease trap was dirty. Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Nov. 2025 Cook for 1 minute more to ensure the raw flavor of the flour disappears. Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Nov. 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
  • Big Oil leaders Exxon Mobil, Chevron, and Shell continue to hike their crude oil production volumes from West Texas’s Permian Basin to the Gulf of Mexico to deepwater Guyana despite concerns of a rising global oil glut as OPEC nations keep exporting more barrels each month.
    Jordan Blum, Fortune, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Burke gave the only 9 on a panel full of 10s, prompting the crude call out.
    Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Senior defensive tackle Braxton Fely’s radar is already up at the chance of facing another inexperienced QB.
    Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 30 Oct. 2025
  • In doing so, Sonny mentors a talented but inexperienced rookie named Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris) and brings an unconventional style of racing to the track.
    Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • With those turbulent waters somewhat behind us, the ones under the ship claim another victim, and poor Britani runs off to throw up over the side of the boat.
    Tom Smyth, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2025
  • This election will likely be remembered as a beacon during a turbulent sea of democratic backsliding, restoring the values of a city which was built on immigrant innovation and an ethos of inclusion.
    Newsweek Contributors, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • That especially applies to properties linked to some of the city’s most chilling murder cases.
    Chris Lau, CNN Money, 31 Oct. 2025
  • The film provides a chilling look at what could happen if a nuclear missile were launched at the United States.
    Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 31 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
  • The country faces rampant inflation, widespread shortages, and mass emigration, with over seven million Venezuelans fleeing abroad.
    Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Suddenly, there is rampant competition for places between Emery’s No 10s.
    Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Harmlessly wandering about the village, belly and breasts exposed—at times completely naked—Pagli discomforts established codes of etiquette.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 30 Oct. 2025
  • The emperor was naked, a fool who’d been had.
    Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Raw.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/raw. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.

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