1
as in bitterness
a harsh or sharp quality
a roughness to the wine that should decrease with age
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
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Recent Examples of roughness
What constitutes pass interference or unnecessary roughness can vary dramatically from one crew to another, and even from quarter to quarter within the same game.
—
Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Meanwhile, shea butter softens roughness and delivers a youthful glow.
—Sophie Wirt, InStyle, 17 Jan. 2026
Each street segment is assigned a Pavement Condition Index score based on roughness and cracks.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Jan. 2026
Following that theft at the Eagles’ 38-yard line with 12 minutes remaining, backup safety Marques Sigle delivered an unnecessary-roughness hit on a sliding Hurts, vaulting the Eagles toward the red zone and ultimately a 33-yard Jake Elliott field goal for a 19-17 lead with 8 minutes remaining.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 12 Jan. 2026
Two Commanders players — defensive lineman Javon Kinlaw and safety Quan Martin — and one Eagles player — offensive lineman Tyler Steen — were disqualified after being flagged for unnecessary roughness during the brawl.
—Dan Gelston, Chicago Tribune, 3 Jan. 2026
Reflections of moonlight off the ocean can help scientists study sea-surface conditions, such as roughness and wave patterns, even at night.
—Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 29 Dec. 2025
Perryman was penalized for unnecessary roughness, but he wasn’t ejected from the game for his second-quarter tackle during the Chargers’ 34-17 victory.
—Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 25 Dec. 2025
In 2023, when safety partner Kareem Jackson was suspended multiple times for unnecessary roughness, Locke filled in next to Simmons.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 24 Dec. 2025
Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Meanwhile, shea butter softens roughness and delivers a youthful glow.
—Sophie Wirt, InStyle, 17 Jan. 2026
Each street segment is assigned a Pavement Condition Index score based on roughness and cracks.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Jan. 2026
Following that theft at the Eagles’ 38-yard line with 12 minutes remaining, backup safety Marques Sigle delivered an unnecessary-roughness hit on a sliding Hurts, vaulting the Eagles toward the red zone and ultimately a 33-yard Jake Elliott field goal for a 19-17 lead with 8 minutes remaining.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 12 Jan. 2026
Two Commanders players — defensive lineman Javon Kinlaw and safety Quan Martin — and one Eagles player — offensive lineman Tyler Steen — were disqualified after being flagged for unnecessary roughness during the brawl.
—Dan Gelston, Chicago Tribune, 3 Jan. 2026
Reflections of moonlight off the ocean can help scientists study sea-surface conditions, such as roughness and wave patterns, even at night.
—Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 29 Dec. 2025
Perryman was penalized for unnecessary roughness, but he wasn’t ejected from the game for his second-quarter tackle during the Chargers’ 34-17 victory.
—Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 25 Dec. 2025
In 2023, when safety partner Kareem Jackson was suspended multiple times for unnecessary roughness, Locke filled in next to Simmons.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 24 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for roughness
Noun
-
Coffee is particularly simpatico in chocolate recipes, where the coffee’s bitterness rounds out the chocolate flavor without overpowering it.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Chocolate in this range delivers intensity without bitterness and often carries subtle fruity or nutty notes, especially varieties sourced from South America.—
Amber Love Bond,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Dissatisfaction isn’t rudeness or ingratitude.—
David Williamson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Third, one rudeness does not justify another.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
14 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Having explored the Mariana Trench, the summit of Everest, and the edge of space, Victor Vescovo knows what awe feels like in its most dramatic forms.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
29 Jan. 2026
-
In short, the frontlines of the Russia-Ukraine war are a weird laboratory for modern warfare, which, against all odds, has given Ukraine a considerable tactical edge over its much larger adversary.—
Victor Tangermann,
Futurism,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The event will feature craft brews, gourmet bites, live auction and nostalgic carnival games to raise money to help community members in need get food.—
Linda Mcintosh,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Signs Of A Bed Bug Infestation Bed bugs feed on blood, so a skin reaction from bites is often the first sign of a potential infestation.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
There is plenty of coarseness in American arenas totally unrelated to MAGA or Trumpism, of course.—
Sally Jenkins,
The Atlantic,
11 Oct. 2025
-
An alkaline compound, baking soda is a non-toxic cleaner with a coarseness that works wonders for scrubbing grime, removing difficult stains, and deodorizing stinky odors.—
Lauren David,
Southern Living,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Seoul 1988 Retinal Eye Cream Viral for using retinal (stronger than retinol) in a liposome delivery system for smoother texture without harshness.—
Corein Carter,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The noise cancellation is legendary, and the sound is balanced and clean, with no weird bass boosting or treble harshness.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
1 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
And numerous studies, including new research in 2025, show covid vaccine benefits include a reduction in the severity of disease, although the protective effects wane over time.—
Stephanie Armour,
Miami Herald,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Because of its severity and potential for outbreak, the World Health Organization lists the Nipah virus as a priority pathogen for research and preparedness.—
Tiffany Acosta,
AZCentral.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
He is charged with open and lewd grossness.—
Flint McColgan,
Boston Herald,
24 Oct. 2025
-
In fact, plenty of other things in your home surpass the toilet in terms of grossness.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
24 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Roughness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/roughness. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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