1
2
as in sturdy
able to withstand hardship, strain, or exposure
this is a tough plant that easily withstands harsh winters
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in harsh
difficult to endure
tough weather conditions on the top of the mountain all year long
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort
even if you study for it, it's still a tough exam
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in thug
a violent, brutal person who is often a member of an organized gang
didn't want her son hanging out with the neighborhood toughs
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2025
His stance towards his uncle is tough.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 24 Oct. 2025
Alison Willmore, Vulture, 12 June 2025
When a set of tortuous toughs relocate to the neighborhood, his temperament shifts and the scenes increasingly unravel the inner workings of his shaken psyche.
—Holly Jones, Variety, 23 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for tough
Adjective
McAlister, Dwyer and Joseph Manjack have all had 100-yard games this season, and TCU’s tight end room could make life tough on West Virginia in the middle of the field.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2025
His stance towards his uncle is tough.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
The most nail-biting scene in the movie involves not a local tough but Claire, desperate in withdrawal, threatening to kidnap and kill the family dog if Kate doesn’t give her some money.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 12 June 2025
When a set of tortuous toughs relocate to the neighborhood, his temperament shifts and the scenes increasingly unravel the inner workings of his shaken psyche.
—Holly Jones, Variety, 23 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for tough
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tough
Adjective
-
Grass blades are more fragile and brittle in the cold.—
Lauren David,
Southern Living,
19 Oct. 2025
-
The brittle cornerstone of a decades-old player-development system suddenly crumbled, bringing the rest of the city game down with it.—
Luke Cyphers,
Sportico.com,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Any question which of those teams has a stout and sturdy offensive line?—
Mirjam Swanson,
Oc Register,
20 Oct. 2025
-
If possible, drive to a nearby sturdy building.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
According to the woman, her parents’ reasoning for denying her requests was rooted in a harsh lesson about independence.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Instead of buying special cleaners or reaching for harsh chemicals to clean around your home, look to your medicine cabinet for a solution.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
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
-
This allows users to benefit from AI acceleration without exposing sensitive information.—
Ni Tao,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Teens will need to allow their parents access and provide them with a time-sensitive QR code to complete activation.—
Alex Vance,
Parents,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Those strict security measures slowed down traffic and travelers and likely would not be welcome again.—
Cindy Von Quednow,
CNN Money,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Loosening restrictions Chinese work visas generally come with strict, complex requirements and allow limited stays for a small group of high-end applicants who are sponsored by employers.—
Peter Guo,
NBC news,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
This haunting film was also his first collaboration with Hellboy’s Ron Perlman, who plays a thug out to get the beetle for his rich uncle.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
17 Oct. 2025
-
In The Big Lebowski, thugs mistake the titular slacker (Bridges) for the wealthy Jeffrey Lebowski, sending him on a wild investigation with his pal Walter (John Goodman) into a ransom plot involving Lebowski’s young wife (Tara Reid).—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Its amber base is paired with oud, vanilla bean, mahogany, incense, and cacao, and its leathery top notes evoke hints of a Western aroma with fall spices perfect for every Southern home.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
19 Oct. 2025
-
Oud is complex, smoky, leathery, sometimes sweet, and always rich.—
Adam Hurly,
Robb Report,
16 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tough.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tough. Accessed 27 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share