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roughness

noun

Definition of roughnessnext
1
as in bitterness
a harsh or sharp quality a roughness to the wine that should decrease with age

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in rudeness
the quality or state of lacking refinement or good taste the roughness of pioneer life is not glossed over in the documentary

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 roughness Before a big event, exfoliate, paying extra attention to areas prone to roughness or dryness, like elbows, knees and wrists. — Ellie Beeck, PEOPLE, 16 Sep. 2026 Then Holland was hit with a fourth quarter unnecessary roughness penalty for a late hit on Cowboys receiver Ryan Flournoy. — Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 14 Sep. 2026 Nishiyama and his team compared maps showing faults and other geologic signs of contraction at Mercury with newer maps highlighting surface roughness. — Marcia Dunn, Los Angeles Times, 13 Sep. 2026 Nishiyama and his team compared maps showing faults and other geologic signs of contraction on Mercury with newer maps highlighting surface roughness. — Arkansas Online, 11 Sep. 2026 The team combined previous maps of Mercury's geology with new observations of the entire planet's surface roughness. — Robert Lea, Space.com, 10 Sep. 2026 Nishiyama and his team used data from MESSENGER to create a global map of Mercury’s surface roughness. — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2026 The new study suggests that ESM has often misidentified simple surface roughness as active ion movement. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 7 Sep. 2026 An unnecessary roughness penalty on Wisconsin gave Notre Dame first-and-goal at the 6. — Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 7 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for roughness
  1. bitterness
  2. rudeness
  3. edge
  4. lowness
  5. bite
  6. coarseness
  7. harshness
  8. grossness
Noun
  • Magazine understands that an experience need not be melodramatic or unique to be deeply transformative, and that moments of joy or bitterness, confusion or clarity, can all sit side by side.
    — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Don’t leave without trying the cold brew tamarindo, where the fruit’s tartness plays against the bitterness of the coffee.
    — Nikkita Nair, Saveur, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of bitterness
Noun
  • The once-vaunted values of public life are now reduced to the lower standards of private life—venality, vulgarity, rudeness, incontinence, and ignorance.
    — Simon Sebag Montefiore, The Atlantic, 28 June 2026
  • Tell her about the long, unwelcome chats, the bullying and the rudeness.
    — Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 25 June 2026
Definition of rudeness
Noun
  • The Eagles were not as dominant in 2025, partly due to the regression of the depth in their secondary and the injuries sustained at edge rusher.
    — Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
  • The facilities would include what’s known as an edge computing data center, which typically is much smaller than traditional data centers and which Global Stack says would require lower utility use and no municipal water connection.
    — Justine McDaniel, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of edge
Noun
  • That feeling stops, however, when pulling into gas stations or parking lots, where the length and lowness of the car require extreme care to keep the chin from scraping.
    — Byron Hurd, The Drive, 4 Feb. 2026
Definition of lowness
Noun
  • The goat is tender and deeply savory, the perfect vehicle for slathering charred avocado and queso for a truly melt-in-your-mouth bite.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Gummi Popz, chewy bite-sized squares filled with fizzing candy, went on sale earlier this year.
    — Dee-Ann Durbin, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of bite
Noun
  • But many seemingly urbane texts also benefited from the intellectual and moral coarseness of their times.
    — Christine Smallwood, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
  • The term plant texture refers to the fineness or coarseness, roughness or smoothness, heaviness or lightness of a particular plant.
    — David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 15 Feb. 2026
Definition of coarseness
Noun
  • Reparations are about exercising a radical vision, thinking beyond the harshness of life, and knowing that something better is possible.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 July 2026
  • The harshness of the response suggested that after nearly five decades of trying to negotiate with the SSPX, the Holy See has had enough.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 July 2026
Definition of harshness
Noun
  • But Paddy’s isn’t Sudz, and the Gang’s efforts to soft-pedal their antics to be more in line with those mainstream bars devolved into typical Sunny-style hostility and off-putting grossness.
    — Dennis Perkins, Entertainment Weekly, 28 July 2026
  • All your Dad has to do is fill it and drink—the microfilter membrane will do the rest by removing chlorine odors, dirt, bacteria, and any other grossness floating around in there.
    — Francesca Krempa, Travel + Leisure, 11 June 2026
Definition of grossness

Browse Nearby Words

roughnecks
roughness
roughs
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Cite this Entry

“Roughness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/roughness. Accessed 19 Sep. 2026.

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