1
as in shaggy
covered with or as if with hair
a face rough with a couple days' worth of beard
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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 uneven
not having a level or smooth surface
a rough board can give you splinters
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5
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort
a forensics expert who willingly takes on rough assignments
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6
as in tough
difficult to endure
I've had a rough time of it since I lost my job
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7
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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8
as in clumsy
hastily or roughly constructed
made a rough camp as darkness fell over the forest
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9
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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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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as in rowdy
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as in to chop
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rough
Time Staff, Time, 25 Apr. 2025
Her rough day doesn't trump basic transit etiquette … Her bag doesn't pay fare, and your actions were justified.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 2025
Jill Newman, Robb Report, 18 Oct. 2023
Players will also encounter four-inch rough, which has been left to grow thickly undisturbed.
—Jim Owczarski, Journal Sentinel, 15 May 2023
Tommy McArdle, People.com, 8 Feb. 2025
The contact was deemed forcible and with the rule in place this season, when in doubt, the referees are instructed to call roughing the passer, erring on the side of protection for the quarterback.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 19 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rough
Adjective
That's going to mean that other countries will release into our country some very rough people.
—Time Staff, Time, 25 Apr. 2025
Her rough day doesn't trump basic transit etiquette … Her bag doesn't pay fare, and your actions were justified.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 2025
Noun
That stone dates to 1878, when Charles Lewis Tiffany acquired the 287-carat rough that was unearthed in South Africa’s Kimberly mine, for a mere $18,000.
—Jill Newman, Robb Report, 18 Oct. 2023
Players will also encounter four-inch rough, which has been left to grow thickly undisturbed.
—Jim Owczarski, Journal Sentinel, 15 May 2023
Verb
That all happened because of my incredible cast and crew who roughed it up.
—Tommy McArdle, People.com, 8 Feb. 2025
The contact was deemed forcible and with the rule in place this season, when in doubt, the referees are instructed to call roughing the passer, erring on the side of protection for the quarterback.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 19 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rough
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rough
Adjective
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This romantically rustic wreath weaves shaggy swags of greenery with white tulips and stalks of berries, then ties it all together with a neat black-and-white bow.—
Miles Walls,
Better Homes & Gardens,
19 Apr. 2025
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Hashing things out with his tech wizard brother-in-law Maury (a shaggy Guy Pearce), Karsh wonders if ecological protesters or religious groups or competitors are upset with his global expansion plans, which include a lava field in Iceland.—
Robert Abele,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The ads target the state House Democrats over taxes and violent crime, as well as women’s and girl’s safety.—
Julia Manchester,
The Hill,
22 Apr. 2025
-
Related: Trump administration captured 'very violent' top street gang leader.—
Krystal Nurse,
USA Today,
22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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That might be the ultimate takeaway for leaders navigating turbulent times.—
Karl Moore,
Forbes.com,
28 Apr. 2025
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Which brings me to another important lesson from turbulent times: market timing (still) does not work.—
Jill Schlesinger,
Mercury News,
28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The two men had worked together for years, selling everything from colon cleanses to get-rich-quick advice, before pivoting to crypto with uneven results.—
Eric Lipton,
New York Times,
29 Apr. 2025
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An even newer device, an electronic screener or balance board, measures foot movements as the patient tries to balance themselves on an uneven surface with their eyes open, and then closed.—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
27 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The Whitecaps won games in Mexico, which is difficult to do.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
24 Apr. 2025
-
The task for Denver tonight will be that much more difficult if Michael Porter Jr. (shoulder) is unavailable or limited.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Four times, he’s used it to strikeout hitters, with the horizontal break being tough to pick up.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
28 Apr. 2025
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However, the emotional side of living with the inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can be just as tough.—
Caitlin Carlson,
SELF,
28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The actor behind the gruff but lovable Roy Kent shared a purrfectly eccentric analogy about the show's return on a recent episode of NPR's Wild Card podcast.—
Jessica Wang,
EW.com,
21 Apr. 2025
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Bowling paints with the rhythm of a gruff intellectual.—
James Russell,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Imagine being cuddled by long-legged, clumsy poodles.—
Brian Mann,
NPR,
20 Apr. 2025
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That’s — actually kind of genius, especially if the Poet was a clumsy fella who needed that kind of precautionary measure.—
Sara Netzley,
EW.com,
15 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rough.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rough. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
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