1
as in uneven
not having a level or smooth surface
a rough board can give you splinters
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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
Carlos Garcia, Fortune, 27 Jan. 2026
Glycolic and lactic acids sweep away dead surface skin cells, soften rough patches, and brighten your complexion, while salicylic acid penetrates more deeply to clear congestion.
—Sarah Han, Allure, 27 Jan. 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
The discord surrounding the bill compounds headwinds facing the crypto industry during a rough few months that have seen prices fall significantly.
—Carlos Garcia, Fortune, 27 Jan. 2026
Glycolic and lactic acids sweep away dead surface skin cells, soften rough patches, and brighten your complexion, while salicylic acid penetrates more deeply to clear congestion.
—Sarah Han, Allure, 27 Jan. 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
-
While Beijing has rolled out trade-in subsidies to spur sales of cars and appliances, the rebound in spending has been uneven.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
30 Jan. 2026
-
More clients mean uneven cash timing.—
Melissa Houston,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Erfan Soltani, 26, was arrested last month as demonstrations roiled the country, sparking a violent crackdown by authorities.—
Lex Harvey,
CNN Money,
2 Feb. 2026
-
Unprecedented spending has also done little to address the country’s worst in the nation homeless problem, an infrastructure that is graded lower than the national average, and a violent crime rate that is 35% higher than the national average.—
Wayne Winegarden,
Oc Register,
1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Described as more of a tonal companion to The Worm than a direct continuation, The Answerers is equal parts existential thriller and absurdist comedy, exploring belief, delusion and the human need for meaning in an increasingly turbulent modern world.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
30 Jan. 2026
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One analyst argues that Bitcoin could sink even more, given the turbulent macroeconomic environment.—
Carlos Garcia,
Fortune,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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This requires the difficult task of collecting precise, real-world measurements of complex nuclei and comparing the measurements with the models’ predictions.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Feb. 2026
-
While that process may prove difficult, the suspension option was hardly better.—
Zach LaChance,
The Washington Examiner,
2 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Going through a severe injury is probably the toughest thing an athlete can go through.—
DJ Siddiqi,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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More companies are dialing back flexible work schedules and mandating that employees return to the office part-time or full-time, forcing women into tough situations.—
Jessica Guynn,
USA Today,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Wild Cards is a crime-solving procedural with a comedic twist that follows the unlikely duo of a gruff, sardonic cop and a spirited, clever con woman.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
28 Jan. 2026
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So did Paul Mescal, previously considered a lock, in best supporting actor for his portrayal of a gruff William Shakespeare.—
Radhika Seth,
Vogue,
22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Rosenberg is careful to note that this doesn’t require abandoning values or discernment, but recognizing that beneath every expression — skillful, clumsy, or even hurtful — is an unmet need.—
Jasna Hodžić,
Big Think,
29 Jan. 2026
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The clumsy, confusing rollout of the fees certainly didn’t help — as many residents who were promised a locals discount couldn’t figure out how to tap that benefit.—
Michael Smolens,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The messages—widely condemned as vulgar, misogynistic, racist, and homophobic—also revealed discussions about manipulating media coverage, targeting political opponents, and casual references to the misuse of public funds.—
Israel Melendez Ayala,
Time,
30 Jan. 2026
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Phoenix Open conduct code The Thunderbirds maintain a zero-tolerance policy regarding lewd and lascivious conduct, including but not limited to, disorderly or violent behavior and vulgar or violent language.—
Ed Masley,
AZCentral.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rough.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rough. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
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