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
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Recent Examples of roughness
Miami led 20-17 with one minute left at SMU when an unnecessary roughness flag — one of 12 penalties on the day — allowed the Mustangs to pick up a fourth-and-9 en route to a game-tying field goal.
—
Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
However, officials said there was no foul for targeting, but Downs was called for unnecessary roughness.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2025
The backbreaker of them all, though, was the unnecessary roughness call on Marquise Lightfoot on fourth and 9.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 2 Nov. 2025
Gray stayed down briefly, and an official quickly flagged the play for unnecessary roughness.
—Kansas City Star, 28 Oct. 2025
These changes are typically unwanted hoarseness, roughness and loss of vocal stability.
—Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Oct. 2025
Running back Javonte Williams was fined $16,830 for unnecessary roughness (use of the helmet), center Brock Hoffman was fined $6,111 for taunting, and safety Donovan Wilson was fined $23,186 for unnecessary roughness (use of the helmet).
—Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
There’s a reason, though, Joseph said, a penalty like Moss’ gets more attention than, say, a critical John Franklin-Myers unnecessary roughness penalty three plays before that cost Denver 15 yards.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 23 Oct. 2025
Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
However, officials said there was no foul for targeting, but Downs was called for unnecessary roughness.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2025
The backbreaker of them all, though, was the unnecessary roughness call on Marquise Lightfoot on fourth and 9.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 2 Nov. 2025
Gray stayed down briefly, and an official quickly flagged the play for unnecessary roughness.
—Kansas City Star, 28 Oct. 2025
These changes are typically unwanted hoarseness, roughness and loss of vocal stability.
—Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Oct. 2025
Running back Javonte Williams was fined $16,830 for unnecessary roughness (use of the helmet), center Brock Hoffman was fined $6,111 for taunting, and safety Donovan Wilson was fined $23,186 for unnecessary roughness (use of the helmet).
—Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
There’s a reason, though, Joseph said, a penalty like Moss’ gets more attention than, say, a critical John Franklin-Myers unnecessary roughness penalty three plays before that cost Denver 15 yards.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 23 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for roughness
Noun
-
What remains is not shame or bitterness, but genuine care.—
Kelly Foster Lundquist,
PEOPLE,
2 Nov. 2025
-
This swap will not only increase the healthfulness of your recipe, but dark chocolate’s bitterness is the perfect contrast to the sweetness of most baked goods.—
Christina Manian,
Health,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
But yes, Miss Manners agrees that his rudeness justifies your ignoring his comment.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
10 Oct. 2025
-
But Takaichi has taken the strongest stances, decrying the rudeness of foreign tourists and accusing them of abusing the famous deer in Nara.—
Arata Yamamoto,
NBC news,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The measure appears to have been the least favored around the southeastern edge of the county, an area that was originally supposed to get access to the silver line.—
Caitlin McGlade,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Nov. 2025
-
These changes, as well as, wearing bangs were a major key to keeping her edges strong.—
Essence,
Essence,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Crisp bits of bacon add a salty crunch, while the green onion brings a fresh, mild bite.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The poolside Joia Bar, modeled after a traditional Dominican casita, overlooks the lagoon pool and the sea, offering light bites, appetizers, and cocktails.—
Regan Stephens,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Nov. 2025
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
-
Middleton aimed to create a score that reflects the harshness and hope of the desert setting.—
Audrey Gibbs,
Nashville Tennessean,
17 Oct. 2025
-
The harshness of the language and the raw politicking shocked voters.—
Matt Klink,
Oc Register,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Kp is an index used to indicate the severity of the global magnetic disturbances in near-Earth space, NOAA said.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Brain scans revealed the severity of the bleeds and whether patients showed signs of cerebral small vessel disease, a condition that damages tiny blood vessels in the brain and is linked to aging, high blood pressure and dementia.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
He is charged with open and lewd grossness.—
Flint McColgan,
Boston Herald,
24 Oct. 2025
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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 9 Nov. 2025.
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