Synonyms of rough
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
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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
ABC News, 3 June 2026
Yet the young Raiders weren’t rattled by a rough start.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 2 June 2026
Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Mar. 2026
Perhaps Sullivan uncovers a young diamond-in-the-rough who hasn’t received much of a chance but blossoms here.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2026
Kevin Sintumuang, Outside, 18 Mar. 2026
Mara, though, has no trouble roughing it when the need arises, and she’s just finished shooting two much leaner productions.
—Seija Rankin, HollywoodReporter, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rough
Adjective
But the first cut of rough is 5 inches long.
—ABC News, 3 June 2026
Yet the young Raiders weren’t rattled by a rough start.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 2 June 2026
Noun
North County is considered to be the cradle of skateboarding, which has grown from its rough around the edges beginnings into a billion dollar industry where icons like Tony Hawk have become global celebrities.
—Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Mar. 2026
Perhaps Sullivan uncovers a young diamond-in-the-rough who hasn’t received much of a chance but blossoms here.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2026
Verb
Visiting the Grand Canyon does not have to mean roughing it.
—Kevin Sintumuang, Outside, 18 Mar. 2026
Mara, though, has no trouble roughing it when the need arises, and she’s just finished shooting two much leaner productions.
—Seija Rankin, HollywoodReporter, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rough
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rough
Adjective
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While this novel is at times engaging and even includes one surprising turn, much is uneven – either predictable or requiring a huge suspension of disbelief.—
The Know,
Denver Post,
4 June 2026
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An InStyle tester, who has combination skin with uneven tone and fine lines, was impressed with the cream’s thick, cushiony texture, and experienced zero flaking when using it with tretinoin.—
Jenny Berg,
InStyle,
4 June 2026
Adjective
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Dinah Voyles Pulver, a national correspondent for USA TODAY, writes about violent weather, the environment, climate change and other news.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
8 June 2026
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His drawling, winking charm is front and center, and his attraction to our heroine feels both genuine and even quite protective, but his violent streak is so blasé as to be unnerving.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
7 June 2026
Adjective
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Getty Images The Philadelphia Phillies have spent the last several weeks playing like a club determined to erase the disappointment of a turbulent first half.—
Peter Chawaga,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
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As the investigation progresses in this four-part docuseries, Stephen reveals the turbulent family dynamics that shaped his childhood, including his father Ron — a violent Vietnam War vet grappling with PTSD — and his mother, Margie, who divorced Ron in the '90s.—
James Mercadante,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 June 2026
Adjective
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JSerra navigated a difficult regular-season schedule, then avoided upsets in the playoffs.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
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But the strength of his acidic, strong, difficult performance was too powerful for the Tonys to deny.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
8 June 2026
Adjective
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More recent air quality news Major automakers are urging the EPA to delay tougher vehicle pollution standards for two years.—
Tony Briscoe,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
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In a tough economy for local breweries, Clairvoyant has found a way to keep its heart beating.—
Michael Deeds,
Idaho Statesman,
4 June 2026
Adjective
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Platner, a gruff 41-year-old Marine Corps veteran, is trying to unseat Republican Senator Susan Collins with a platform of economic populism, universal health care, labor protections, and anti-interventionism.—
Elizabeth Bruenig,
The Atlantic,
4 June 2026
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With his gruff voice, beard and sweatshirts-instead-of-suits, Platner cuts the figure of a blue-collar Mainer.—
Caroline McCaughey,
Boston Herald,
4 June 2026
Adjective
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After the zapfest on Earth, the anti-climactic tussle between the forces of good and evil occurs back on Eternia, where He-Man and his nemesis cross swords in a clumsy fight that’s not only predictable but also photographed and edited poorly.—
Jeffrey Ressner,
HollywoodReporter,
3 June 2026
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The simple walking pattern adopted by fish, which the Cambridge researchers call an ‘undulating tripod gait’, can appear to be quite clumsy and involves too much flopping.—
Abhishek Bhardwaj,
Interesting Engineering,
2 June 2026
Adjective
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Apparently some fans were using some vulgar language toward Brunson in Game 1.—
Zach Harper,
New York Times,
5 June 2026
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Doolan also received several emails calling her a vulgar word that typically refers to women.—
Maven Navarro
June 3,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rough.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rough. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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