1
as in disrespectful
showing a lack of manners or consideration for others
it's rude to call someone "ugly"
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2
as in clumsy
hastily or roughly constructed
a rude shelter built from unfinished logs by some forgotten pioneer
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3
as in primitive
belonging to or characteristic of an early level of skill or development
rude stone tools
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4
as in crass
lacking in refinement or good taste
a comedian who uses a lot of rude language in his nightclub act
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5
as in barbarian
not civilized
missionaries who believed that it was their duty to convert the rude peoples of the world
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6
as in ignorant
lacking in education or the knowledge gained from books
rude hillbillies they might have been, but they produced music with real poignancy
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rude
Audrey and Eli’s first meeting is a contentious one, with accusations and rude words and eventually pieces of fruit getting thrown around in all directions.
—
Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 24 Jan. 2026
Trump, of course, was rude, untruthful, and excessively, if not quite so egregiously, long-winded in his first term, too.
—Susan B. Glasser, New Yorker, 22 Jan. 2026
Unfortunately, Martin’s blunt and borderline rude bedside manner rubs the quirky, needy locals the wrong way, including schoolteacher Louisa Gavin (Abigail Spencer).
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 21 Jan. 2026
The debate over whether Lopez was rude to Walliser was quickly followed by discourse over whether Walliser himself is rude to potential clients.
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rude
Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 24 Jan. 2026
Trump, of course, was rude, untruthful, and excessively, if not quite so egregiously, long-winded in his first term, too.
—Susan B. Glasser, New Yorker, 22 Jan. 2026
Unfortunately, Martin’s blunt and borderline rude bedside manner rubs the quirky, needy locals the wrong way, including schoolteacher Louisa Gavin (Abigail Spencer).
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 21 Jan. 2026
The debate over whether Lopez was rude to Walliser was quickly followed by discourse over whether Walliser himself is rude to potential clients.
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rude
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rude
Adjective
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Still, in general, experts agree that many people find swearing rude and disrespectful, so with kids of any age, parents should do their best to model socially-acceptable language and discuss the potential present and future impact of using dicey words.—
Melissa Willets,
Parents,
26 Jan. 2026
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Keane loved Polinsky’s insistence on inclusiveness, respect for the governor down to the most obscure staffer, and zero tolerance for those disrespectful to rank-and-file workers.—
Keith M. Phaneuf,
Hartford Courant,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Rosenberg is careful to note that this doesn’t require abandoning values or discernment, but recognizing that beneath every expression — skillful, clumsy, or even hurtful — is an unmet need.—
Jasna Hodžić,
Big Think,
29 Jan. 2026
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The clumsy, confusing rollout of the fees certainly didn’t help — as many residents who were promised a locals discount couldn’t figure out how to tap that benefit.—
Michael Smolens,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Mobile computing started with devices that now seem laughably primitive.—
Tim Bajarin,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
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That means camping at the stunning Roaring Brook Campground is primitive (and only an option in the summer), so make sure to pack plenty of water, food, and headlamps.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Zamiri aims to send up the crass monetization of a cultural boom, turning up the film’s absurdity knob to highlight the very real ways in which record labels and other corporate interests attach themselves vampirically to artistic success.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Jan. 2026
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Season 4 does introduce the three new Americans via Tender — an online payment system used for gambling and pornography sites, which becomes the focal point of Season 4 — with Penn’s Jonah bringing a crass brand of American humor to the season premiere.—
Chris O'Falt,
IndieWire,
14 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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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
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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
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We’d be laughed at and called ignorant boors!—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
24 Jan. 2026
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Dunk isn’t ignorant of what doing the right thing could cost him.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
13 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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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
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In 2014, he was found to have been discourteous and used force.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Early warning is rudimentary and community liaison mechanisms are flimsy.—
Obi Anyadike,
semafor.com,
26 Jan. 2026
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The federal student loan program lacks even rudimentary safeguards common in the private sector.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
25 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rude.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rude. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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