1
as in uneven
not having a level or smooth surface
a rough board can give you splinters
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in violent
marked by bursts of destructive force or intense activity
rough waters that made sailing our sloop a little risky
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3
as in turbulent
marked by wet and windy conditions
at least wear a raincoat if you're going out into that rough weather
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4
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort
a forensics expert who willingly takes on rough assignments
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5
as in tough
difficult to endure
I've had a rough time of it since I lost my job
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6
as in gruff
harsh and threatening in manner or appearance
the rough faces of hardened criminals who had spent most of their lives behind bars
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7
as in clumsy
hastily or roughly constructed
made a rough camp as darkness fell over the forest
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8
as in vulgar
lacking in refinement or good taste
he learned polite words to replace the rough language he had known growing up
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9
as in shaggy
covered with or as if with hair
a face rough with a couple days' worth of beard
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10
11
12
as in wild
marked by turmoil or disturbance especially of natural elements
after a rough week on the high seas, we were happy to sail through the gulf's more tranquil waters
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in rowdy
Related Words
as in to chop
Related Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rough
Chris Hoffman, CBS News, 12 May 2026
After three-plus years wandering the galaxy, Ahsoka has a (rough) return date on Disney+.
—Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 12 May 2026
Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2026
Scheffler pushed his drive into the right fairway bunker on the par-4, could only advance the ball 54 yards into the left rough and gouged his third shot short of the green.
—John Marshall, Baltimore Sun, 5 Feb. 2026
Andrew Cornelius, Twin Cities, 8 Mar. 2026
But special teams were inconsistent among roughing the punter and running into the punter penlaties, allowing a kickoff return touchdown immediately after recording a punt return touchdown, and failing to recover an onside kick.
—Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rough
Adjective
Simmons said about three out of every 10 years, peaches have rough years around here.
—Chris Hoffman, CBS News, 12 May 2026
After three-plus years wandering the galaxy, Ahsoka has a (rough) return date on Disney+.
—Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 12 May 2026
Noun
Perhaps Sullivan uncovers a young diamond-in-the-rough who hasn’t received much of a chance but blossoms here.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2026
Scheffler pushed his drive into the right fairway bunker on the par-4, could only advance the ball 54 yards into the left rough and gouged his third shot short of the green.
—John Marshall, Baltimore Sun, 5 Feb. 2026
Verb
The Skippers were their own worst enemy in closing out the title game, as Liam Schultz was penalized for roughing with 11:00 to play in regulation.
—Andrew Cornelius, Twin Cities, 8 Mar. 2026
But special teams were inconsistent among roughing the punter and running into the punter penlaties, allowing a kickoff return touchdown immediately after recording a punt return touchdown, and failing to recover an onside kick.
—Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rough
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rough
Adjective
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These Italian suede sneakers feature a durable gum sole that’s perfect for a long day of walking without tripping over cobblestones or uneven pavement.—
Melony Forcier,
Travel + Leisure,
14 May 2026
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Elsewhere, shopping was uneven.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
Adjective
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Despite the official figures offered and pronouncements made by Mamdani and NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, New York City remains a very violent place.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
10 May 2026
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Landslide tsunamis, like the one that happened in Tracy Arm, are often more localized but also way more violent.—
Jacek Krywko,
ArsTechnica,
10 May 2026
Adjective
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Overall, it's been a turbulent year for cyber stocks.—
Morgan Chittum,
CNBC,
9 May 2026
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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 Aces scored 26 points off those giveaways, which made things even more difficult on the defense.—
Marisa Ingemi,
Los Angeles Times,
11 May 2026
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Schiraldi oversaw a particularly difficult period on Rikers.—
Molly Fischer,
New Yorker,
11 May 2026
Adjective
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Each of those teams will be competing for playoff spots again, leaving the Raiders with no easy divisional wins and a tough out-of-division schedule.—
Sam Warren,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
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The group did just enough against Sale and a tough Braves bullpen to avoid getting shut out for the third time in five games.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
15 May 2026
Adjective
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Apparently, the gruff fighter Johnny Cage wasn’t much of a match for the all-powerful Miranda Priestly.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
10 May 2026
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Iron Maiden’s singer when Smith joined, Di’Anno, had short hair and a uniquely gruff voice but couldn’t cut it on the road.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Furthermore, Sharpe spent six months learning how to tinkle the ivories, an impressive commitment which pays off during the pivotal piano battles and ensures a welcome absence of clumsy cutaways from fingers to face.—
Jon O'Brien,
IndieWire,
8 May 2026
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Then with a little nudging, the clumsy newborn finds the udder bulging between the cow’s back legs and hungrily suckles colostrum so critical for its first feeding.—
Susan Koch,
Chicago Tribune,
8 May 2026
Adjective
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As Dan’s relationship with Kolkena progressed, Betty reportedly left vulgar and threatening messages on the couple’s answering machine, prompting Dan to threaten criminal contempt action, according to the Los Angeles Times.—
Anthony Thompson,
USA Today,
9 May 2026
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But demeaning our brand through association with vulgar demagogues is a losing strategy.—
Alma Hernandez,
New York Daily News,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rough.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rough. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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