1
as in sturdy
able to withstand hardship, strain, or exposure
a rugged construction that survived for hundreds of years
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in tough
difficult to endure
the incredibly rugged conditions that the polar explorers faced
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in gruff
harsh and threatening in manner or appearance
the warrior's rugged features frightened the child
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in muscular
having muscles capable of exerting great physical force
a rugged athlete who's competing in weight lifting in the Olympics
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in jagged
not having a level or smooth surface
rugged terrain that made for slow going
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort
even more rugged than most ultramarathons, this one crosses a desert
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in crass
lacking in refinement or good taste
the kind of rugged humor that men have traditionally enjoyed at stag parties
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
In this case, the Quartermaster’s truck bed helps the overall profile look slightly less upright, without losing any of the boxy and rugged aesthetic.
—
Michael Van Runkle, Robb Report, 24 Sep. 2025
How rugged and imposing will this Bond be?
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 24 Sep. 2025
The discovery marked the end of a month-long search that spanned multiple states, rugged wilderness, as well as trails and campsites in the Pacific Northwest.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
The Tigers have played a rugged schedule through four weeks, with their only two losses coming to a pair of 5A top-five teams (Mountain Vista and Ralston Valley).
—Matt Schubert, Denver Post, 24 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rugged
Michael Van Runkle, Robb Report, 24 Sep. 2025
How rugged and imposing will this Bond be?
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 24 Sep. 2025
The discovery marked the end of a month-long search that spanned multiple states, rugged wilderness, as well as trails and campsites in the Pacific Northwest.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
The Tigers have played a rugged schedule through four weeks, with their only two losses coming to a pair of 5A top-five teams (Mountain Vista and Ralston Valley).
—Matt Schubert, Denver Post, 24 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rugged
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rugged
Adjective
-
No matter what someone’s day entails, a sturdy tote bag is sure to come in handy.—
L. Daniela Alvarez,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 Sep. 2025
-
If possible, drive to a nearby sturdy building.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
An editor approached me with a tough assignment of tasting, evaluating and reviewing a chicken Caesar wrap.—
Susan Selasky,
Freep.com,
27 Sep. 2025
-
The news that Aleksander Barkov will all but assuredly miss all of the 2025-26 season after undergoing surgery on Friday to repair the ACL and MCL in right knee was tough for the Florida Panthers to hear.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
27 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
This pays off to some extent because Day-Lewis is such a mesmerizing presence, Ray’s gruff manner and terse communications hinting at dark mysteries to be revealed.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Sep. 2025
-
Panday plays a convincingly gruff tortured artist alongside Padda’s struggling ingenue, and most of the screen time is devoted to their pairing instead of introducing tertiary excess.—
Proma Khosla,
IndieWire,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
He would not be drawn on whether that tension could have triggered a muscular reaction.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Fitness Optimization Runners with strong endurance, aerobic capacity, and muscular strength maintain faster paces.—
Christopher Bergland,
Verywell Health,
25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
With over 70,000 acres available to explore, visitors can take on the park’s 136 miles of trail, visit high alpine lakes, and climb jagged peaks.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Sep. 2025
-
Nowadays, wig enthusiasts are shaping their lace to mimic more of a natural hairline that may include a widow’s peak, and or more jagged instead of rigid hair line, so definitely keep that customization option in mind.—
Noel Cymone Walker,
StyleCaster,
23 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Abrego Garcia’s lawyers have argued that travel to Moshannon is far more difficult for members of the defense team based in Nashville, and not easier for those in New York.—
Christine Valora,
The Washington Examiner,
28 Sep. 2025
-
Senator Collins has proven in the past to be able to win in very difficult environments, 2008 being an example of that.—
Andrew Stanton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Palace’s results this season are all the more impressive on the back of a turbulent summer that was totally overshadowed by the decisions made by UEFA and the Court of Arbitration for Sport to demote the club from the Europa League to the Conference League.—
Stuart James,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
-
While hundreds of people who were arrested went free without charge during that turbulent year, prosecutors are now pointing to those past protests in a warning to people who hope to send a message about ICE.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
And honestly, Chris, that is just a really crass thing to say.—
Eric Berger,
ArsTechnica,
25 Sep. 2025
-
This joyless, crass Platinum Dunes remake (directed by Marcus Nispel) regurgitates the original’s plot with additional gore but without any of the sharp wit.—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
21 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rugged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rugged. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share