Thesaurus

rough

Q: How does the adjective 'rough' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of rough are harsh , rugged , scabrous , and uneven . While all these words mean "not smooth or even," rough implies points, bristles, ridges, or projections on the surface. // a rough wooden board

Q: In what contexts can 'harsh' take the place of 'rough'?

While in some cases nearly identical to rough , harsh implies a surface or texture distinctly unpleasant to the touch. // a harsh fabric that chafes the skin

Q: When is 'rugged' a more appropriate choice than 'rough'?

In some situations, the words rugged and rough are roughly equivalent. However, rugged implies irregularity or roughness of land surface and connotes difficulty of travel. // a rugged landscape

Q: Where would 'scabrous' be a reasonable alternative to 'rough'?

Although the words scabrous and rough have much in common, scabrous implies scaliness or prickliness of surface. // a scabrous leaf

Q: When might 'uneven' be a better fit than 'rough'?

The meanings of uneven and rough largely overlap; however, uneven implies a lack of uniformity in height, breadth, or quality. // an old house with uneven floors

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Synonyms & Antonyms of rough

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 covered with or as if with hair

a face rough with a couple days' worth of beard

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2 marked by bursts of destructive force or intense activity

rough waters that made sailing our sloop a little risky

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3 marked by wet and windy conditions

at least wear a raincoat if you're going out into that rough weather

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rainy,
snowy

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rainless

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4 not having a level or smooth surface

a rough board can give you splinters

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nonuniform

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flush

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5 requiring considerable physical or mental effort

a forensics expert who willingly takes on rough assignments

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6 difficult to endure

I've had a rough time of it since I lost my job

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7 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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8 hastily or roughly constructed

made a rough camp as darkness fell over the forest

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refined

9 lacking in refinement or good taste

he learned polite words to replace the rough language he had known growing up

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10 made of or resembling hair

a rough-coated dog who was always shedding his fur

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hairlike

11 marked by a series of sharp quick motions

a rough flight that left some passengers nauseated

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12 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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rough

noun

Synonyms of rough (Entry 2 of 3)

as in punk, thug

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rough

verb

Synonyms of rough (Entry 3 of 3)

as in beat, chop

Synonyms & Near Synonyms for rough

scuff

Frequently Asked Questions About rough

How does the adjective rough contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of rough are harsh, rugged, scabrous, and uneven. While all these words mean "not smooth or even," rough implies points, bristles, ridges, or projections on the surface.

a rough wooden board

In what contexts can harsh take the place of rough?

While in some cases nearly identical to rough, harsh implies a surface or texture distinctly unpleasant to the touch.

a harsh fabric that chafes the skin

When is rugged a more appropriate choice than rough?

In some situations, the words rugged and rough are roughly equivalent. However, rugged implies irregularity or roughness of land surface and connotes difficulty of travel.

a rugged landscape