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rugged

adjective

ˈrə-gəd How to pronounce rugged (audio)
Definition of ruggednext
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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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective rugged contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of rugged are harsh, rough, scabrous, and uneven. While all these words mean "not smooth or even," rugged implies irregularity or roughness of land surface and connotes difficulty of travel.

a rugged landscape

When would harsh be a good substitute for rugged?

The meanings of harsh and rugged largely overlap; however, harsh implies a surface or texture distinctly unpleasant to the touch.

a harsh fabric that chafes the skin

When might rough be a better fit than rugged?

The words rough and rugged are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, rough implies points, bristles, ridges, or projections on the surface.

a rough wooden board

When can scabrous be used instead of rugged?

The synonyms scabrous and rugged are sometimes interchangeable, but scabrous implies scaliness or prickliness of surface.

a scabrous leaf

When is it sensible to use uneven instead of rugged?

While the synonyms uneven and rugged are close in meaning, uneven implies a lack of uniformity in height, breadth, or quality.

an old house with uneven floors

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 rugged Just a rugged man in a stream There is, of course, nothing nonchalant about the exchange. — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026 Ireland and Norway have the rugged coastline, but there’s nothing like the Andes Mountains in either of those countries. — Kc Baker, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2026 Sazan is a rugged place—strewn with rocks and tangles of trees, populated by a large colony of rats, and studded with bunkers built by the Marxist dictator Enver Hoxha to defend against an imaginary invasion. — Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026 The park's remote and rugged location, its steep limestone canyon walls and crystal clear starry night views attract visitors from around the world. — ABC News, 14 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rugged
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rugged
  1. sturdy
  2. tough
  3. gruff
  4. muscular
  5. jagged
  6. difficult
  7. turbulent
  8. crass
Adjective
  • That’s a clear sign of just how timeless and sturdy his music is in a scene defined by constant turnover.
    — Billboard Japan, Billboard, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Once your little one has graduated from the baby bath at around five months, this bath seat with a high backrest and sturdy design is the next step.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of sturdy
Adjective
  • Because of the heat wave's dramatic effect on everyday life, Paris became a tough place to walk around in the sunshine.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Sep. 2026
  • But Chipotle has been in a tough spot since Niccol departed in 2024, and even as Boatwright’s plan shows signs of momentum (same-store sales have begun to tick back up again), there are open questions about Chipotle’s strategic direction.
    — Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of tough
Adjective
  • His only hope to get home turns out to be Nick (Kenneth Branagh), a gruff ex-KGB agent who loves American pop culture and is really good in a fight.
    — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Known for his gruff vocals, LaMontagne first came to the scene in the early aughts as a timid troubadour.
    — Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of gruff
Adjective
  • The sense of doom freed them to push hard into a rich new pop direction, filling Sound of Lies with songs that were deeply felt and sometimes dark amid the muscular pop hooks.
    — Steve Appleford, SPIN, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The Brooks Ghost Max SE is built with a glide roll rocker sole that helps to minimize muscular strain near the ankles.
    — Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of muscular
Adjective
  • The jagged edges of the lower bowl almost spotlight the playing field like center stage.
    — Alec Lewis, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
  • The soaring A-frame bar is the architectural showpiece, its timber ceiling echoing the jagged silhouette of the Brenta Dolomites beyond.
    — Vicki Power, TheWeek, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of jagged
Adjective
  • Being undefeated after a trio of difficult opening matches can only be seen as a positive, even if Newcastle’s obvious shortcomings require addressing if that run is to be prolonged.
    — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Engineers need flight data on propulsion, aerodynamics, thermal management, guidance and other subsystems under conditions that are difficult to reproduce on the ground.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of difficult
Adjective
  • The oversight hearing underscored Patel’s turbulent tenure, from shouting matches with lawmakers and blended leisure travel to allegations of excessive drinking that spurred calls for his removal and a massive defamation suit.
    — Eric Tucker, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026
  • The two lawsuits come after a turbulent week for Hoskins, a Republican who became a key player in a dizzying series of legal battles and court decisions over the state’s congressional map.
    — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of turbulent
Adjective
  • Murdoch is thick-skinned and accustomed to being underestimated by the condescending Brits, who see him as a crass interloper.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The vulnerability, the crass graffiti, the (lack of) cleanliness, uncomfortable toilet seats—the list of reasons is lengthy.
    — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of crass

Browse Nearby Words

rug
rugged
ruggedness
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Cite this Entry

“Rugged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rugged. Accessed 19 Sep. 2026.

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