1
as in uneven
not having a level or smooth surface
a rough board can give you splinters
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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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 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
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as in rowdy
Related Words
as in to chop
Related Words
1
as in to lick
to strike repeatedly
she was badly roughed up by her boxing partner
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2
as in to abuse
to abuse physically
the photographer claimed that he had been roughed up by the actor's bodyguards outside the club
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rough
Reuters, NBC news, 17 Feb. 2026
The wheels are rugged enough to be used on rough terrain.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026
Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 23 June 2025
Oakmont was as advertised this week, with some of the game’s best like Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry and more struggling to find answers for its tough greens, thick roughs, and the pouring rain that came down on Sunday certainly didn’t help matters for those vying for the championship.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 16 June 2025
Betty Fussell, PEOPLE, 1 Dec. 2025
Over the first 11 weeks of the season, the NFL Operations Department has handed out 15 fines for roughing the passer with the fines totaling over $225,000.
—Andrew McCarty, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rough
Adjective
Cisternino said days of heavy rain, strong winds and rough seas had battered the coastline and ultimately destroyed the arch.
—Reuters, NBC news, 17 Feb. 2026
The wheels are rugged enough to be used on rough terrain.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026
Noun
The course features narrow fairways and primary rough that will range from 3.5 to 5 inches during the tournament.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 23 June 2025
Oakmont was as advertised this week, with some of the game’s best like Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry and more struggling to find answers for its tough greens, thick roughs, and the pouring rain that came down on Sunday certainly didn’t help matters for those vying for the championship.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 16 June 2025
Verb
Not, of course, without stashing in our purses a little brush to rough our soles and a fork to comb our hair.
—Betty Fussell, PEOPLE, 1 Dec. 2025
Over the first 11 weeks of the season, the NFL Operations Department has handed out 15 fines for roughing the passer with the fines totaling over $225,000.
—Andrew McCarty, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rough
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rough
Adjective
-
This top is business in the front (the draped, halter neckline and uneven hem) and a party in the back (the open back).—
Katie Decker-Jacoby,
StyleCaster,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Researchers at Georgia Tech have developed a real-time planning and control framework that significantly improves how two-legged robots recover from sudden disturbances while walking on uneven or moving terrain.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Again, legal observers and ordinary citizens captured his violent death from several angles.—
Nick Woltman,
Twin Cities,
22 Feb. 2026
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As the hours passed, violent events were replicated in Colima, Nayarit, Aguascalientes and Guanajuato, where blockades and attacks on infrastructure are multiplying.—
Claudia Núñez,
AZCentral.com,
22 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Though the region of the Milky Way called the Galactic Center is expected to be replete with pulsars, spotting them is challenging because of how extreme, turbulent, and densely packed the heart of our galaxy is.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
21 Feb. 2026
-
It’s been a turbulent few years for Ubisoft.—
Jennifer Maas,
Variety,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
But having dodged the traps of the social media news era, The Economist now faces looming long-term structural challenges that may be more difficult to avoid.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Frontflips are generally more difficult than backflips for both humans and robots.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Takaichi has proposed tougher policies on immigration and foreigners, something that resonates with a growing frustration in Japan.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Bryant was tough to stop and scored nine of her 23 points in the first quarter.—
Justin Vigil Zuniga,
Daily News,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Over the ensuing decades, Duvall had numerous other memorable turns as tough guys, gruff mentors and men seeking redemption.—
David Matthews,
New York Daily News,
16 Feb. 2026
-
The characters are well developed and unpredictable—perhaps none more so than John Stone, Nasir’s gruff public-defense attorney.—
Stephanie Bai,
The Atlantic,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Lizzie McGuire made viewers feel seen because Duff was clumsy and awkward, falling into platters of spaghetti and getting dumped by her first boyfriend.—
Angie Martoccio,
Rolling Stone,
19 Feb. 2026
-
The tech driving my first clumsy steps included a six-axis inertial measurement unit (IMU) and GPS sensors monitoring each ski’s position and the weight and angle of my heel.—
Kendall Hunter,
Outside,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Colt Gray sent grandmother concerning texts In her testimony, Polhamus reviewed several angry, vulgar text messages from Colt Gray that showed his spiraling mental health and penchant for outbursts.—
Eric Levenson,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
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Brush was also behind an 1898 National League rule that prohibited indecent, vulgar or obscene language.—
Libby Cierzniak,
IndyStar,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rough.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rough. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.
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