ROUGH-HEWN Synonyms: 191 Similar and Opposite Words

rough-hewn

adjective

ˈrəf-ˈhyün

Definition of rough-hewn

as in clumsy

hastily or roughly constructed a survivalist living in a rough-hewn shelter in the wilderness

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in crass

lacking in refinement or good taste a rough-hewn kid who had to learn how to behave properly in polite company

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in uncomfortable

lacking social grace and assurance rough-hewn military cadets feeling a little self-conscious at their first formal dance

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 rough-hewn In Maine, Graham Platner, a rough-hewn populist who had to cover up a Nazi tattoo, looks set to handily beat Janet Mills, the polished seventy-eight-year-old incumbent governor. — Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2026 The couple created Boni’s as a slightly more rough-hewn and masculine version of their bespoke sister restaurant. — Matthew Odam, Austin American Statesman, 4 Mar. 2026 Limón, 46, the daughter of Mexican immigrants, has a much calmer personality than many of her rough-hewn male predecessors. — George Skelton, Mercury News, 21 Jan. 2026 And through it all, Butler’s rough-hewn charm remains intact. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rough-hewn

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rough-hewn

Adjective

Such attempts to touch on the highly personal connections people have to Oasis’s music feel clumsy and forced, especially when juxtaposed with the brothers’ rather anonymous comments.

— Elena Lazic, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026
After meeting at a society reception, Henry sets out to marry Henrietta, an endearingly clumsy, overly apologetic botanist with ambitions of discovering a new species of fern.

— Air Mail, Air Mail, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of clumsy

Adjective

Murdoch is thick-skinned and accustomed to being underestimated by the condescending Brits, who see him as a crass interloper.

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026
The vulnerability, the crass graffiti, the (lack of) cleanliness, uncomfortable toilet seats—the list of reasons is lengthy.

— Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of crass

Adjective

From the seasonally inappropriate hot springs of Beitou to the glossy, souvenir-flogging halls of Taipei Taoyuan International Airport, the plot of this coming-of-age story doesn’t shy away from the uncomfortable realities of traveling abroad.

— Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Sep. 2026
Residents can expect another round of uncomfortable nights as moisture will keep overnight temperatures well above normal in the 70s with some 80s in the foothills.

— Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of uncomfortable

Adjective

In 2024, Swift joined the Bears as a free agent whose production didn’t match the contract in a rough year overall for the offense.

— Kevin Fishbain, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
After a rough preseason that included missing a block that got Dart crushed and fumbling, Tracy could next lose his spot on the gameday active roster — if not his job entirely — with Najee Harris waiting to step in.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of rough

Adjective

Perhaps her daughter-in-law is not vulgar but, rather, simple and spontaneous?

— Meghan O’Gieblyn, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026
Decide for yourself whether that’s a bold indicator of English football’s superiority over the rest of the world, or a revolting symbol of the bloated and vulgar behemoth that the game has become.

— Nick Miller, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of vulgar

Adjective

Sam Altman is leading OpenAI through perhaps the most consequential—and uneasy—moment in artificial intelligence yet.

— Fortune Editors, Fortune, 15 Sep. 2026
In a desperate race against time, Rosalind and Sean are forced into an uneasy alliance, fighting to save her husband and expose a global trafficking empire that eliminates anyone who tries to stop it.

— Alex Ritman, Variety, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of uneasy

Adjective

For instance, your colleagues may be very agreeable and kind to their boss but rude to their more junior colleagues, or the cafeteria waiter.

— Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Totally ignoring the humanity of both worker and customer is rude, and yet both parties are interested in getting on with whatever the transaction is.

— Judith Martin, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of rude

Browse Nearby Words

roughens

rough-hewn

roughhouse

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Style

“Rough-hewn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rough-hewn. Accessed 18 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of rough-hewn

adjective

Example Sentences

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