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
The hikes vary in difficulty from easy hiking on flat terrain to rugged hiking through dense vegetation.
—
Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2025
Despite this relatively svelte build – in the world of rugged phones anyway – the WP210 comes with enough battery for 20 hours of video watching, 52 hours of continuous talk time or 26 hours of mobile gaming.
—New Atlas, 17 Aug. 2025
Outside is even more enticing, with two Moroccan daybeds and swings that overlook the surrounding rugged wilderness.
—Jessica Cherner, Architectural Digest, 13 Aug. 2025
After challenging hikes through Zion's rugged terrain, there is nothing more healing than relaxing in waters that remind us of Iceland's Blue Lagoon, the Dead Sea, or Japan's Hokkaido Island.
—Shelby Knick, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rugged
Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2025
Despite this relatively svelte build – in the world of rugged phones anyway – the WP210 comes with enough battery for 20 hours of video watching, 52 hours of continuous talk time or 26 hours of mobile gaming.
—New Atlas, 17 Aug. 2025
Outside is even more enticing, with two Moroccan daybeds and swings that overlook the surrounding rugged wilderness.
—Jessica Cherner, Architectural Digest, 13 Aug. 2025
After challenging hikes through Zion's rugged terrain, there is nothing more healing than relaxing in waters that remind us of Iceland's Blue Lagoon, the Dead Sea, or Japan's Hokkaido Island.
—Shelby Knick, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rugged
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rugged
Adjective
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The immolation of the Bronx was all the more staggering because, a generation before, it had been filled with upwardly mobile residents in sturdy homes.—
Daniel Immerwahr,
New Yorker,
18 Aug. 2025
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For five rounds, Chimaev rag-dolled a massive and sturdy champion in Dricus Du Plessis en route to a decisive victory (50-44 x3).—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
17 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Even if increasing competition and financial obstruction have influenced summer recruitment, making this season’s challenges tougher, the confidence in Unai Emery and Villa’s football department remains unerring.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
14 Aug. 2025
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Sanctions have roiled Russia's economy and Trump could use tougher measures as leverage over Putin, said Richard Portes, professor of economics at London Business School.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Faced with this existential crisis, Bull gathers his best pals—Rocco, a gruff boxer (Idris Elba); Lucky, a dopey but loyal beagle (Bobby Moynihan); and Fetch, a wannabe influencer dachshund (Fred Armisen)—for one final night of canine mischief.—
Travis Bean,
Forbes.com,
1 Aug. 2025
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The strength and conditioning coach barked out stretches in a gruff voice, starting off the first practice of fall football camp on a note of discipline.—
Haley Sawyer,
Oc Register,
30 July 2025
Adjective
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These can lead to blindness, light sensitivity, cough, shortness of breath, and muscular weakness.4 IgA pemphigus causes eruptions of itchy and painful blisters that appear in circles or clusters on your skin.—
Mark Gurarie,
Health,
10 Aug. 2025
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The director’s many fans are anticipating his signature blend of muscular craftsmanship, elegant mise-en-scène, psychological intensity and moral ambiguity.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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This plant is recognizable by its characteristic arrangement of leaves growing in groups of three with edges that vary from smooth to jagged.—
Christopher P. Holstege,
CNN Money,
17 Aug. 2025
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Beads of sweat dripped in jagged lines from Brandis Rogers’ temples and the nape of her neck.—
Briah Lumpkins,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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This deep understanding of local transportation patterns would have been difficult with rapid multi-city expansion.—
Tima Bansal,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
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But even though scientists have been able to discover thousands of planets orbiting stars beyond our solar system in recent years, including some around Proxima Centauri, which is fairly a dim star, it's been difficult to go planet-hunting around Alpha Centauri A and B, which orbit each other.—
Nell Greenfieldboyce,
NPR,
7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Sheckler and Kells have used the parallels in their turbulent journeys in the spotlight to lean on one another, making their bond stronger over the years.—
Michael Saponara,
Billboard,
14 Aug. 2025
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The two were married in 2012, and in the 13 years that followed, Krein was spotted from time to time with the powerful political family as his father-in-law navigated a presidential campaign and turbulent term in the White House.—
Kyler Alvord,
People.com,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The idea that women should lose the right to vote is shaping up to be more than a crass punchline or a dystopian viewpoint, but one that Pete Hegseth, a member of the president’s cabinet, appears to agree with.—
Stephanie McNeal,
Glamour,
12 Aug. 2025
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To achieve this encyclopedic scope, Joyce opened every door between the divine thought of Thomas Aquinas and crass Dublin newspaper ads.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rugged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rugged. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
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