tough 1 of 2

adjective

ˈtəf How to pronounce tough (audio)
Definition of toughnext
1
as in chewy
not easily chewed her steak was so tough that she suggested the waiter use it as a hockey puck

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sturdy
able to withstand hardship, strain, or exposure this is a tough plant that easily withstands harsh winters

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3
as in harsh
difficult to endure tough weather conditions on the top of the mountain all year long

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4
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort even if you study for it, it's still a tough exam

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5
as in sensitive
requiring exceptional skill or caution in performance or handling handled a tough situation with the aplomb and tact of a true diplomat

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6
as in strict
given to exacting standards of discipline and self-restraint a tough supervisor who docked the pay of anyone who punched in late, no matter what the reason

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tough

2 of 2

noun

as in bully
a violent, brutal person who is often a member of an organized gang didn't want her son hanging out with the neighborhood toughs

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How is the word tough different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of tough are stalwart, stout, strong, sturdy, and tenacious. While all these words mean "showing power to resist or to endure," tough implies great firmness and resiliency.

a tough political opponent

When can stalwart be used instead of tough?

The words stalwart and tough can be used in similar contexts, but stalwart suggests an unshakable dependability.

stalwart environmentalists

Where would stout be a reasonable alternative to tough?

The words stout and tough are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, stout suggests an ability to endure stress, pain, or hard use without giving way.

stout hiking boots

When could strong be used to replace tough?

The meanings of strong and tough largely overlap; however, strong may imply power derived from muscular vigor, large size, structural soundness, intellectual or spiritual resources.

strong arms
the defense has a strong case

When would sturdy be a good substitute for tough?

Although the words sturdy and tough have much in common, sturdy implies strength derived from vigorous growth, determination of spirit, solidity of construction.

a sturdy table
people of sturdy independence

When is tenacious a more appropriate choice than tough?

While in some cases nearly identical to tough, tenacious suggests strength in seizing, retaining, clinging to, or holding together.

tenacious farmers clinging to an age-old way of life

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 tough
Adjective
Top-tier heroes like Batman and Spider-Man will get them through the door; one of Superman’s relatives is a tougher sell. — Brent Lang, Variety, 16 July 2026 The midday bite was tough, as predicted, but the last half hour of light yielded several largemouths, including a six-pounder to finish off the evening. — Kristine Fischer, Outdoor Life, 16 July 2026
Noun
The gangland drama is deeper and darker than the domestic one, strengthened by the unexpected portrayal of the Russian toughs as bumbling in their own way. — Sheldon Pearce, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2026 Cazale played the title character, an older man who becomes lost in Manhattan and is harassed by two young toughs, one of whom was portrayed by Pacino. — René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 12 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tough
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tough
  1. leathery
  2. sturdy
  3. harsh
  4. difficult
  5. sensitive
  6. strict
  7. criminal
  8. hard
Adjective
  • The affected tissue has a dark, leathery appearance and may be colonized by a bacteria giving it a black color.
    — Dawn Pettinelli, Hartford Courant, 19 July 2026
  • The flowers have thick, leathery petals that give the plant its common name and are visited by hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies.
    — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 12 July 2026
Definition of leathery
Adjective
  • Made from rust-resistant, double-layered aluminum, the table feels light enough to move around, but also sturdy enough not to blow over in a storm.
    — Sarah Scott, Southern Living, 19 July 2026
  • Odysseus also prided himself on being the only person able to string his sturdy bow.
    — Tanya Fedak, Variety, 18 July 2026
Definition of sturdy
Adjective
  • The couple made sure the design included a basement where the kids could spend time, better insulation to handle South Dakota’s harsh weather and plenty of storage — all features their previous home lacked.
    — Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 18 July 2026
  • Those are some of the harsh conditions that detainees in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody described experiencing in recent weeks at the Federal Detention Center, a Bureau of Prisons facility located in a concrete tower in downtown Miami.
    — Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 18 July 2026
Definition of harsh
Adjective
  • Unlike dogs, they cannot simply be taken on longer walks, often resist dietary changes, and can be difficult to medicate consistently, making GLP-1 therapies potentially attractive if clinical trials prove successful.
    — Elsa Ohlen,Carolin Roth, CNBC, 18 July 2026
  • Their stories recount the devastation to homes and businesses, life in temporary shelters, and the difficult process of rebuilding or relocating.
    — Michelle Oliva-Espinosa, Kansas City Star, 18 July 2026
Definition of difficult
Adjective
  • As the man building rings and providing backdrops with the event names on them for big press conferences, he is often trusted with sensitive information long before it is announced.
    — Chris McKenna, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • The risk manager requested anonymity to discuss sensitive business interests.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
Definition of sensitive
Adjective
  • Though South Florida abides by strict statewide building codes to protect against wind and flooding, Lejeune is concerned that no new construction has been tested by destructive storms.
    — Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 21 July 2026
  • In the 2026 session, the Legislature passed HB 991, an elections bill that requires strict proof of citizenship to vote and reduces the forms of photo ID that are acceptable at the polls.
    — Eric "Doc" Stelnicki, Sun Sentinel, 20 July 2026
Definition of strict
Noun
  • California has some of the nation’s toughest gun laws, but state lawmakers are concerned that a new technology is allowing criminals to obtain firearms by building them from scratch.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 July 2026
  • This lengthy process was typical of ICE’s previous procedures to track down criminals, Sandweg said, which may have shifted under the demands of this administration’s daily arrest goals.
    — Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
Definition of criminal
Adjective
  • Essentially a rock has met a hard place – at the mouth of the Persian Gulf.
    — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
  • Remember, all this hard work to discover all these things has been done in the midst of designing a ballroom, cleaning up the reflecting pool and a host of other busy things the president and his administration have been doing.
    — Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 July 2026
Definition of hard

Phrases Containing tough

Browse Nearby Words

touchy-feely
tough
toughed it out
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Cite this Entry

“Tough.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tough. Accessed 24 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of tough for Spanish Speakers

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