Definition of rudenext
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
as in crude
being such as found in nature and not altered by processing or refining rude pelts that were sent to Europe to be fashioned into elegant hats and coats

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective rude differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of rude are crude, raw, and rough. While all these words mean "lacking in social refinement," rude implies ignorance of or indifference to good form; it may suggest intentional discourtesy.

rude behavior

Where would crude be a reasonable alternative to rude?

The words crude and rude are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, crude may apply to thought or behavior limited to the gross, the obvious, or the primitive.

a crude joke

When would raw be a good substitute for rude?

In some situations, the words raw and rude are roughly equivalent. However, raw suggests being untested, inexperienced, or unfinished.

turning raw youths into polished performers

When is rough a more appropriate choice than rude?

The synonyms rough and rude are sometimes interchangeable, but rough is likely to stress lack of polish and gentleness.

rough manners

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 rude But Chalamet’s comments—even the rude one about the 14 cents—were purely in regard to economics. Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 10 Mar. 2026 Focus on the things that really matter, like no hitting, rude talk, or lying. Barrie Gillies, Parents, 9 Mar. 2026 Perhaps surprisingly, the unfair pay and rude management didn’t trigger the most significant changes in attitude. Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 7 Mar. 2026 Whether a dish is tied to a long-standing family tradition, cultural heritage, or simply a treasured memory, etiquette experts say there’s nothing rude about choosing to keep certain recipes private. Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 6 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rude
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rude
Adjective
  • The change in role led to frustration and friction with Phillies manager Rob Thomson (drinking a beer in the dugout after a benching was seen as disrespectful).
    Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026
  • Not showing up is disrespectful to the American public and counter to our Democracy.
    Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • But weighting the draft odds is a delicate business — and one the Bulls remain committed to approaching with a clumsy commitment to competitiveness.
    Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026
  • Kurt's key takeaway Scammers are no longer relying only on clumsy emails or obvious red flags.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The aesthetic is plush but also primitive.
    Kathryn Romeyn, Architectural Digest, 9 Mar. 2026
  • Some futurists compare this development to our primitive ancestors’ discovery of fire.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The beloved slapstick comedy is 85 minutes of pure entertainment, full of increasingly chaotic adventures and shockingly crass jokes that still produce guffaws decades later.
    Rachel Simon, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2026
  • In a not crass way, no matter what your vice of choice is, someone who enables that behavior, even just by being there, is a really relatable idea.
    Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Ashley Johnson and star/executive producer Travis Willingham tee up what's coming for their soft barbarian lady.
    Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Bailey plays half-elf ranger Vex, O’Brien is her twin brother Vax, Willingham is the lovable barbarian Grog, Johnson is the holy gnome cleric Pike, Jaffe is the royal gunslinger Percy, Ray is magical half-elf druid Keyleth and Riegel is the raunchy gnome bard Scanlan.
    Jordan Moreau, Variety, 24 July 2025
Adjective
  • To many ballet dancers, Chalamet sounded like an ignorant bully.
    Chloe Angyal, Time, 9 Mar. 2026
  • This is clearly a knee-jerk reaction and ignorant of actual risks.
    Michael F. Gorman, Fortune, 6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Some do this flippantly, but reader Robin suggested drivers who do this do not care and are flat-out discourteous.
    Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 11 Jan. 2026
  • In 2014, he was found to have been discourteous and used force.
    Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • There’s infectious joy and wonder as the Eridian who will come to be known as Rocky begins communicating with Ryland, at first with rudimentary signals and then with more complex language once Ryland rigs a translation device.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 10 Mar. 2026
  • The result is a kind of rudimentary, cyborg turtle hot rod.
    Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 5 Mar. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rude.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rude. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on rude

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster