1
as in sturdy
able to withstand hardship, strain, or exposure
a rugged construction that survived for hundreds of years
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2
as in tough
difficult to endure
the incredibly rugged conditions that the polar explorers faced
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3
as in gruff
harsh and threatening in manner or appearance
the warrior's rugged features frightened the child
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4
as in muscular
having muscles capable of exerting great physical force
a rugged athlete who's competing in weight lifting in the Olympics
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5
as in jagged
not having a level or smooth surface
rugged terrain that made for slow going
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6
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort
even more rugged than most ultramarathons, this one crosses a desert
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7
as in turbulent
marked by turmoil or disturbance especially of natural elements
New Hampshire's Mount Washington has some of the ruggedest weather in all of North America
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8
as in crass
lacking in refinement or good taste
the kind of rugged humor that men have traditionally enjoyed at stag parties
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rugged
According to Vohra, the company has tripled its number of partners to focus on niche capabilities like rugged devices for poor Wi-Fi environments and other warehouse machinery.
—
Gene Marks, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
The helicopter's flight through 16 miles of rugged, mountainous terrain took longer than usual — about an hour — because of harsh weather, KIRO-TV reported.
—CBS News, 14 May 2025
Vermont Why: From the flat, paved roads of the Champlain Islands to the rugged gravel routes in the Northeast Kingdom, Vermont has a mix of terrain suited to riders of all abilities.
—Jen Murphy, Outside Online, 13 May 2025
That won’t necessarily solve the spacing issues on the offensive end, but Looney is often Kerr’s counter in rugged environments and could help shore up the defensive issues that are becoming more troubling.
—Anthony Slater, New York Times, 3 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for rugged
Gene Marks, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
The helicopter's flight through 16 miles of rugged, mountainous terrain took longer than usual — about an hour — because of harsh weather, KIRO-TV reported.
—CBS News, 14 May 2025
Vermont Why: From the flat, paved roads of the Champlain Islands to the rugged gravel routes in the Northeast Kingdom, Vermont has a mix of terrain suited to riders of all abilities.
—Jen Murphy, Outside Online, 13 May 2025
That won’t necessarily solve the spacing issues on the offensive end, but Looney is often Kerr’s counter in rugged environments and could help shore up the defensive issues that are becoming more troubling.
—Anthony Slater, New York Times, 3 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for rugged
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rugged
Adjective
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For your safety, move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
14 May 2025
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The paddles are crafted with a sturdy, lightweight design suitable for players just starting and looking to develop their skills.—
Jené Luciani Sena
may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom.,
FOXNews.com,
12 May 2025
Adjective
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Federal judges have so far been skeptical of the Trump administration’s past efforts to use extraordinary powers to make deportations easier, and that could make suspending habeas corpus even tougher.—
Will Weissert,
Chicago Tribune,
10 May 2025
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Last year’s drought conditions that extended into late fall combined with very windy winter conditions and frozen soils were tough for some evergreens.—
Pamm Cooper,
Hartford Courant,
10 May 2025
Adjective
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The rest of the film takes place in a prison, where Henry’s gruff but philosophical cellmate, Gene (Shia LaBeouf), tries to teach him the ways of the world.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
30 Apr. 2025
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Fimmel digs into the more stereotypical gruff bounty hunter with relish, though the character itself is a western staple.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
1 May 2025
Adjective
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The bellicosity of these two speeches, at a time when the cease-fire was still tenuous, seemed to reflect Modi’s need to appear muscular in the face of public criticism and after being undermined by Trump’s swagger.—
Vaibhav Vats,
The Atlantic,
21 May 2025
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In his view, Florida state and local governments are muscular enough to handle what comes.—
Orlando Sentinel Staff,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 May 2025
Adjective
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For the next hour or so, several of them will summit various routes along the cliff's steep, jagged face.—
Sean Clancy,
Arkansas Online,
12 May 2025
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Grok 3: The wind howled through the jagged spires of the Frostfang Reaches, carrying a chill that bit deeper than any blade, and Ser Willem Cray felt its teeth in his bones.—
Kelsey Piper,
Vox,
12 May 2025
Adjective
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Two of Elissa’s tumors were obliterated that day, but the third was too difficult to reach without repositioning Elissa’s body in a way that would have taken too much time under anesthesia.—
Kristen Jordan Shamus,
USA Today,
19 May 2025
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Luca Solca sector head for global luxury goods at Bernstein Clouding the picture further, many other premium Swiss watchmakers including Rolex, Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet, are privately owned, making their performance difficult to decipher.—
Karen Gilchrist,
CNBC,
18 May 2025
Adjective
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The stakes are high, as the visits take place amid turbulent geopolitical tensions.—
Natasha Turak,
CNBC,
9 May 2025
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Keep in mind, substantial wealth can be created in the market by those who maintain a composed and strategic approach during turbulent times.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2025
Adjective
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Related Articles Dear Abby: Is there a way to tell the crass shirttail relations that they’re not invited?—
Jeanne Phillips,
Mercury News,
10 May 2025
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Grand Theft Auto is famous for its crass, satirical sense of humor.—
Jordan Minor,
PC Magazine,
6 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rugged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rugged. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
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