Synonyms of roughneck

roughneck 1 of 2

adjective

as in vulgar

lacking in refinement or good taste

their roughneck antics were amusing only if you were as drunk as they were

Synonyms & Similar Words

• vulgar
• crass
• rude
• crude
• coarse
• common
• rugged
• rough
• raffish
• uncultured
• gross
• rough-hewn
• uncouth
• lowbrow
• clumsy
• unrefined
• low
• unpolished
• uncultivated
• tasteless
• ill-bred
• loutish
• insensible
• boorish
• illiberal
• lowbred
• cloddish
• rustic
• incult
• lubberly
• ungentlemanly
• oafish
• clownish
• lumpish
• churlish
• unsophisticated
• countrified
• provincial
• thoughtless
• indelicate
• insensitive
• inconsiderate
• uncivilized
• barbarous
• barbaric
• inelegant
• graceless
• unmannered
• tacky
• unmannerly
• mannerless
• animallike

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• smooth
• civilized
• cultured
• polished
• genteel
• refined
• aristocratic
• cultivated
• tasteful
• patrician
• courtly
• well-bred
• sensitive
• elegant
• graceful
• restrained
• thoughtful
• ultrarefined
• sophisticated
• gracious
• considerate
• urbane
• citified

roughneck

2 of 2

noun

ˈrəf-ˌnek 

as in thug

a violent, brutal person who is often a member of an organized gang

a group of roughnecks like to hang out at the roadhouse and harass people

Synonyms & Similar Words

• thug
• gangster
• criminal
• villain
• bandit
• ruffian
• pirate
• tough
• assassin
• hoodlum
• gorilla
• thief
• hooligan
• rowdy
• mobster
• hood
• punk
• offender
• bully
• gangbanger
• gangsta
• goon
• yobbo
• yob
• plug-ugly
• toughie
• scoundrel
• cutthroat
• outlaw
• desperado
• felon
• perpetrator
• robber
• mug
• mafioso
• crook
• brigand
• racketeer
• swindler
• highwayman
• vandal
• lawbreaker
• malefactor
• perp
• pickpocket
• gunman
• bravo
• tearaway
• juvenile delinquent

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of roughneck

Adjective

The show seems organically suited for a more action comedy take, given Hooker’s old style and often roughneck crime fighting style, which seemed out of place in a more woke world. — Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 5 Aug. 2025

Solomon’s estranged roughneck father (Chris Bauer) hawks macho health supplements and scams Solomon into becoming one of his salesmen. — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 10 June 2025

Noun

Livestock ranchers, roughnecks and agriculture have had a storied past in the rural land surrounding what is now a long stretch of Interstate Highway 680. — Kyle Martin, Mercury News, 26 Jan. 2026

His job as the titular landman is to secure leases for oil extraction, to manage crews of roughnecks, and to deal with local government and police. — Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 26 Nov. 2025