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
In the rugged mountains of northeastern Brazil, , a region long influenced by mining, something new and unusual was hidden in the darkness, according to researchers.
—
Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2025
Sherpani’s Mia travel backpack is a rugged all-around pack that’s big enough for a weekend trip away, but small enough to be your everyday work bag.
—Christopher Murray
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, 17 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, the rugged, waterproof build handles poolside splashes without drama.
—PC Magazine, 17 Oct. 2025
After breakfast, drive north from Palma about 25 minutes to the Serra de Tramuntana, a rugged mountain range (and UNESCO World Heritage Site) that covers the island’s northwest coast.
—Emilio Parra Doiztua, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rugged
Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2025
Sherpani’s Mia travel backpack is a rugged all-around pack that’s big enough for a weekend trip away, but small enough to be your everyday work bag.
—Christopher Murray
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, 17 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, the rugged, waterproof build handles poolside splashes without drama.
—PC Magazine, 17 Oct. 2025
After breakfast, drive north from Palma about 25 minutes to the Serra de Tramuntana, a rugged mountain range (and UNESCO World Heritage Site) that covers the island’s northwest coast.
—Emilio Parra Doiztua, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rugged
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rugged
Adjective
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Any question which of those teams has a stout and sturdy offensive line?—
Mirjam Swanson,
Oc Register,
20 Oct. 2025
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If possible, drive to a nearby sturdy building.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The Falcons' offense has emerged as one of the toughest in the league, causing multiple turnovers a game.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Oct. 2025
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How self-reflection operates matters because it will always be needed to make wiser choices about our toughest challenges.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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But encounters with the island’s residents, including with his gruff but warm-hearted landlady (played by German screen legend Hanna Schygulla), gradually alter his outlook.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
20 Oct. 2025
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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
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This test analyzes 20 key areas of nutritional and functional health, including a detailed look at metabolism, diet and all of their vital systems—from digestive and muscular to nervous and endocrine systems.—
Christine Persaud,
USA Today,
20 Oct. 2025
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Two machines incorporated at Pintus’ request — one of them valued at more than €50,000 ($58,000; £43,000) — also played a more prominent role, allowing for exercises around muscular contractions and serving to test and measure the players’ progress.—
Mario Cortegana,
New York Times,
19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The Maah Daah Hey Trail runs for 144 miles, offering some of the best exposure to what’s left of the country’s majestic grasslands, plus surprisingly jagged peaks, rugged plateaus, and ample river crossings.—
Jacqueline Kehoe,
AFAR Media,
15 Oct. 2025
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Its alpine-style streets, surrounded by jagged peaks, are lined with breweries and boutique shops.—
Chantelle Kincy,
Travel + Leisure,
14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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These events encourage community members to dispose of hazardous materials like gasoline, oil, chemicals, and more, which can be difficult to dispose of and pose a safety risk if not handled correctly.—
Kamron Sanders,
Better Homes & Gardens,
19 Oct. 2025
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Don't Look Now manipulates audiences' minds, mixing elements of the occult with the overwhelming need for hope into a plot twist audiences will find difficult to swallow.—
Steven Thrash,
Entertainment Weekly,
19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The Nintendo Switch era has been turbulent for the franchise, to put it mildly.—
Ryan Gaur,
Rolling Stone,
14 Oct. 2025
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Now, in an increasingly turbulent world, those barriers are going back up.—
Gordon G. Chang,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Each project presented at MIA is picked with a genuine desire for these works to come to the fore, not by crass commercial considerations.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
30 Sep. 2025
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Free speech covers the jokes, the satire, the parodies—even the dumb, crass, or offensive ones.—
Lizz Winstead,
Time,
27 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rugged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rugged. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.
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