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
Windermere continues its rugged schedule with a Tuesday home game against next-door neighbor Windermere Prep (15-3), which is second behind Lake Highland Prep (15-1) in the Orlando area rankings — just ahead of Evans.
—
Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 Jan. 2026
The company notes that many of its competitors in the rugged smartphone space use night vision setups that unveil night-time secrets for about 20 meters at most (around 66 ft).
—New Atlas, 9 Jan. 2026
Queen Creek, Bisbee and Marana shone in a recent study by vacation rental marketplace HomeToGo for their landscapes defined by desert terrain and rugged canyons, western vibes and rural charm.
—Laura Daniella Sepulveda, AZCentral.com, 9 Jan. 2026
By then, Don Revie had converted this rugged Welsh defender into a combative midfielder.
—Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rugged
Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 Jan. 2026
The company notes that many of its competitors in the rugged smartphone space use night vision setups that unveil night-time secrets for about 20 meters at most (around 66 ft).
—New Atlas, 9 Jan. 2026
Queen Creek, Bisbee and Marana shone in a recent study by vacation rental marketplace HomeToGo for their landscapes defined by desert terrain and rugged canyons, western vibes and rural charm.
—Laura Daniella Sepulveda, AZCentral.com, 9 Jan. 2026
By then, Don Revie had converted this rugged Welsh defender into a combative midfielder.
—Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rugged
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rugged
Adjective
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With sturdy construction, ample shelf space, and glass doors, china cabinets are excellent for storing and displaying delicate china sets, trinkets, decorative plates, heirloom decor, and more.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
7 Jan. 2026
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Be sure to cover your head and neck with your arms, and crawl under a sturdy table if possible.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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This leads to families having to make tough decisions, said Cindy Kincaid, family caregiver program manager at Centralina Regional Council.—
Briah Lumpkins,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Jan. 2026
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She's been amazing, a sort of brutal support, tough lover, very educational.—
Breanne L. Heldman,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Approved by The Boss himself, the live-music and storytelling show finds Azaria slipping into his best Springsteen guise for a night of gruff tales and greatest hits.—
John Wenzel,
Denver Post,
24 Dec. 2025
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The gory skit ends with the gruff older man rushing through the door to announce he’s made amends with his son, only to have his head sliced off by the flying chainsaw.—
Mitchell Peters,
Billboard,
21 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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The video opens with Ryder lounging on a plastic lounge chair, unfazed, while her muscular partner paces nearby, yelling into his phone.—
Tomás Mier,
Rolling Stone,
5 Jan. 2026
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Research shows that muscular strength has a direct impact on your stress response and mental health, as well as cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors.—
Emma Loewe,
Outside,
1 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The site was chosen for its abundant sunshine, spring water, mountain air, and views of the jagged Odle massif, which is framed by picture windows in all 62 minimalist suites.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Jan. 2026
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Police shot and killed a patient armed with the jagged shard of a broken toilet seat inside Methodist Hospital in Brooklyn on Thursday, law enforcement sources told the Daily News.—
Rocco Parascandola,
New York Daily News,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Business leaders, of course, have their own interests and shareholders to serve, but Democrats can still protect the public interest while giving CEOs a seat at the table to reach pragmatic answers to difficult questions like these.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Time,
13 Jan. 2026
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Activist groups say hundreds of people have been killed, though the true toll remains difficult to verify due to the internet blackout and tight state controls on information.—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
13 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Use extra caution near the surf zone as these large waves will be capable of sweeping people into the frigid and turbulent ocean water.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
7 Jan. 2026
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The story of the Platonic representation hypothesis paper began in early 2023, a turbulent time for AI researchers.—
Ben Brubaker,
Quanta Magazine,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Often, the art created out of activism is productive and instructional, rather than crass or shocking, Duarte said.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Dec. 2025
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Unable to project solemn grief, conservatives went with spectacle and crass remarks.—
Miles Klee,
Rolling Stone,
21 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rugged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rugged. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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