1
as in uneven
not having a level or smooth surface
a rough board can give you splinters
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in rowdy
Related Words
as in to chop
Related Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rough
Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 7 Apr. 2026
Search and rescue efforts spanned 14,000 square nautical miles of rough seas, where waves at times reached as high as 10 feet, the Coast Guard said.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
John Marshall, Baltimore Sun, 5 Feb. 2026
On Thursday, after a wayward drive landed in the left rough on the par-4 eighth hole, Rahm’s mood soured.
—Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 21 Jan. 2026
On the same play that Johnson was called for defensive pass interference, which advanced the ball 17 yards for the Broncos, Bills defensive end Joey Bosa was also called for roughing the passer.
—Saad Yousuf, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rough
Adjective
The driver had a rough idea as to when the snake slithered into his vehicle.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 7 Apr. 2026
Search and rescue efforts spanned 14,000 square nautical miles of rough seas, where waves at times reached as high as 10 feet, the Coast Guard said.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
Noun
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
On Thursday, after a wayward drive landed in the left rough on the par-4 eighth hole, Rahm’s mood soured.
—Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
Here are a few places to check out:More: Not ready to rough it in the woods?
—Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 21 Jan. 2026
On the same play that Johnson was called for defensive pass interference, which advanced the ball 17 yards for the Broncos, Bills defensive end Joey Bosa was also called for roughing the passer.
—Saad Yousuf, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rough
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rough
Adjective
-
As an over-the-counter retinoid, retinol helps accelerate skin cell turnover, which can visibly improve uneven texture, fine lines, and discoloration over time.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Apr. 2026
-
But the improvements were short-lived as rates rose significantly in March, driven by a series of uneven economic reports and a spike in geopolitical tensions and overseas conflicts.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
By all accounts, virality is violent for its subjects, and building a sustainable career from sudden celebrity is a formidable task; any sensible person would be wise to distrust such an instantaneous anointing.—
Amanda Petrusich,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
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The election comes amid a surge in violent crime and corruption that has fueled widespread discontent among voters, who largely view candidates as dishonest and unprepared for the presidency.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The roots of the day, also celebrated as International Workers Day, go back over a century to a turbulent and pivotal time in labor history.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 Apr. 2026
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Banning State Park Sandstone, Minnesota Ninety miles north of Minneapolis on I-35 near the town of Sandstone, thrill-seekers, whitewater canoeists, and kayakers venture to Banning State Park for the turbulent rapids of the Kettle River.—
Joie Probst,
Midwest Living,
10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Such claims of penury, however, were difficult to square with certain facts.—
Patrick Radden Keefe,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Over time, my relationship with my wife has become very difficult.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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As the inspirational Moon glides into your 7th House of Allies, your expressive nature invites connection, and your generous spirit lightens tough conversations.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
10 Apr. 2026
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One factor is that the Highlanders, a Division 3 team, haven’t faced the toughest schedule.—
Don Norcross,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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And Zendaya, as to be expected, really, is fantastic, slipping effortlessly under the skin of the gruff addict in recovery, trying to claw her way out of an increasingly deep hole.—
Radhika Seth,
Vogue,
9 Apr. 2026
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As Liborio, an orphan who risked his life to cross the border and ended up living in the attic of a bookstore thanks to the kindness of the gruff owner, Chief (Eddie Marsan), the actor plays a narrator who consistently breaks the fourth wall.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Variety,
18 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Even young Oklahoma City required a clumsy postseason audition.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
5 Apr. 2026
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The driver and his accomplice then mounted a clumsy getaway that resulted in their scooter crashing about three blocks from the scene, cops said.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The word was considered so vulgar that it was left out of early dictionaries and was rarely printed, though Adams says people were certainly using it.—
Harmeet Kaur,
CNN Money,
8 Apr. 2026
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One day, Dahlstrom made a vulgar joke in a lunchroom referencing oral sex and pubic hair, according to the employee.—
Nick Ferraro,
Twin Cities,
4 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rough.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rough. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.
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