rough-hewn

adjective

ˈrəf-ˈhyün How to pronounce rough-hewn (audio)
Definition of rough-hewnnext
1
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
2
as in crass
lacking in refinement or good taste a rough-hewn kid who had to learn how to behave properly in polite company

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in uncomfortable
lacking social grace and assurance rough-hewn military cadets feeling a little self-conscious at their first formal dance

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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
  1. clumsy
  2. crass
  3. uncomfortable
  4. rough
  5. vulgar
  6. uneasy
  7. rude
  8. coarse
Adjective
  • But even those fans of her socially clumsy and feverishly party-planning mayor’s assistant Patricia on that series may not be prepared for her soulful, wrenching work in Mike Leigh’s latest film.
    — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 5 Nov. 2026
  • And given how clumsy its efforts have been, this is clearly the leadership of the Department of Justice acceding to the wishes of the president of the United States even when there is no sound legal basis to proceed.
    — John E. Jones III, The Conversation, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of clumsy
Adjective
  • Where does a man like this — tenacious, fiery, unapologetically crass — come from?
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2026
  • But the fashionable-at-the-time nakedness of the YBAs’ desire for money, most completely embodied by Hirst, quickly became crass.
    — Eliza Goodpasture, ARTnews.com, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of crass
Adjective
  • Made with a breathable bamboo-viscose surface and waterproof barrier, it's designed to protect against spills without the uncomfortable crinkling of traditional mattress covers.
    — Jacorey Moon, Architectural Digest, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Jameson is an adult film actress, and Gronkowski put his head in his hands, appearing uncomfortable as Koutouvides started telling the story.
    — Ryan Canfield OutKick, FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of uncomfortable
Adjective
  • As the Heat searches for positives amid its rough start to the season, the bench rotation continues to evolve.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 11 Nov. 2026
  • At the Shore, onshore winds could create rough surf, hazardous boating conditions, and some tidal flooding, although the extent of coastal impacts will depend heavily on the storm's track and how long winds remain onshore.
    — Grant Gilmore, CBS News, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of rough
Adjective
  • The Johnson County building was once home to Hereford House, which famously closed after a vulgar criminal case in August 2024, in which former employee Jace Hanson was arrested for contaminating the food.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 11 Nov. 2026
  • The character is not above asking inappropriate questions like how much an expensive shirt costs, signaling a sort of vulgar fixation on money.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of vulgar
Adjective
  • Some Republicans, notably including Vice President JD Vance, have directly blamed their midterm losses on the Iran war, which continues to see intermittent fighting amid an uneasy stalemate.
    — Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 10 Nov. 2026
  • Set in 1970s Los Angeles, the musical explores family, artistic ambition and the uneasy passage of cultural knowledge from one generation to the next.
    — James C. Taylor, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of uneasy
Adjective
  • Don’t expect Miss Manners ever to issue an OK-to-be-rude pass.
    — Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Rosie Campbell, Managing Director of Eleos AI Research, a nonprofit dedicated to understanding and addressing the potential well-being of AI, said that some other studies have even shown that rude questions can actually improve results.
    — Hadas Gold, CNN Money, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of rude
Adjective
  • Coir doormats, made with coconut fiber, are appreciated for their coarse, abrasive textures.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Gray hair is more coarse and less likely to appear shiny than other hair colors.
    — Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of coarse

Browse Nearby Words

roughens
rough-hewn
roughhouse
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Cite this Entry

“Rough-hewn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rough-hewn. Accessed 12 Nov. 2026.

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