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

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
Still, the raw numbers alone are mind-blowing. Michael Deeds may 1, Idaho Statesman, 1 May 2026 Marshall and Bonner have talent, but are raw and unproven NFL players, which is how this entire unit can be described. Omar Kelly may 1, Miami Herald, 1 May 2026
Noun
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 This, then, was Oasis in the raw, a throwback to their unstoppable ascent in much smaller venues than this rather than the enormo-dome gigs of their latter years. Mark Sutherland, Variety, 4 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for raw
Recent Examples of Synonyms for raw
Adjective
  • 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
  • That meant Stop Sale Orders on sour cream (49 degrees); cabbage (51); sausage (53) and uncooked shell eggs (69 degrees).
    David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Maybe the bright lights of a win-or-go-home playoff game proved too big of a moment for a young, inexperienced Hawks team.
    Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 1 May 2026
  • Edmonton showed off its postseason poise in Game 5, throttling the Ducks in a 4-1 victory and putting the onus on their inexperienced opponents to finish off the series.
    Greg Beacham, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
Adjective
  • From the transformative power of novels to raising a Black son in a turbulent era, Ward offers a deeply moving testament to resilience, storytelling, and the enduring beauty of life.
    Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 2 May 2026
  • Much like the rest of what’s already been a turbulent season, Orlando has made this playoff series as difficult as possible.
    Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 May 2026
Adjective
  • Advocates see it as a way to send a chilling message to immigrant communities and make more people vulnerable to deportation.
    Rebecca Santana, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
  • But the reality of the series is more chilling.
    Troy Renck, Denver Post, 1 May 2026
Adjective
  • 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
  • The 2019 image of the peanut-chomping envoy quickly went viral, begetting a biting social-media hashtag: #LordCacahuates (Lord Peanuts).
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Eventually the boys split into two camps, paranoia runs rampant and deadly violence ensues.
    Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026
  • Earthquakes, firebombing, and rampant development have left few examples of old architecture in Tokyo, but in 1993 the Tokyo government set aside about seventeen acres for this collection of historic buildings, which range from farmhouses and soy-sauce shops to private homes and public bathhouses.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Apr. 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
  • Some of the characters kiss each other, but there aren't any explicit interactions, graphic scenes or nudity.
    Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026
  • Elizabeth's content up to this point, according to this source, hasn't contained full nudity.
    Sean Joseph OutKick, FOXNews.com, 28 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Raw.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/raw. Accessed 6 May. 2026.

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