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
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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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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tough
Liana Handler, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
The court system will have to sort out the mess here, but there are some tough lessons to be learned from following your heart down a path that leaves you in a spot where nudes are allegedly flying around.
—Sean Joseph Outkick, FOXNews.com, 14 May 2026
Josh Shepardson, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Doing so with a CVS receipt-long injury list is all kinds of tough.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tough
Adjective
The fans’ positivity offset the emotionally tough road back from left elbow surgery to fix a tear in Hernández’s tendon.
—Liana Handler, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
The court system will have to sort out the mess here, but there are some tough lessons to be learned from following your heart down a path that leaves you in a spot where nudes are allegedly flying around.
—Sean Joseph Outkick, FOXNews.com, 14 May 2026
Noun
Meanwhile, a running back on the underdog 49ers will find the sledding tough on the ground, providing gamblers with a desirable rushing under to bet.
—Josh Shepardson, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Doing so with a CVS receipt-long injury list is all kinds of tough.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tough
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tough
Adjective
-
Once your tsukemen appears — terrifically chewy noodles built to catch every drop of the accompanying half-broth, half-gravy, as heady as drippings scraped from a roasting pan — the world recedes.—
Ligaya Mishan,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
-
There will most certainly be a line, but these chewy, New York-style bagels are well worth the wait.—
Christina Pérez,
Vogue,
8 May 2026
Adjective
-
Reintroduced as Aqua Lares in late 2025, the 254-footer is comfortable in the harshest of environments, with a sturdy ice-class hull that can power through practically anything.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
15 May 2026
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Optimize the wall space by placing belts and bags on sturdy hooks.—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
15 May 2026
Adjective
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The scheme has been so successful, law enforcement has created a joint FBI-National Security Division task force to disrupt the operations and have dealt a series of harsh prison terms to American accomplices who have willingly aided the North Koreans.—
Amanda Gerut,
Fortune,
14 May 2026
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To fully embody her OnlyFans persona, an earthside alien named The Hungry Ghost, who offers mild nudity and harsh criticism of her willing subscribers’ genitalia.—
Alli Rosenbloom,
CNN Money,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
The Aces scored 26 points off those giveaways, which made things even more difficult on the defense.—
Marisa Ingemi,
Los Angeles Times,
11 May 2026
-
Schiraldi oversaw a particularly difficult period on Rikers.—
Molly Fischer,
New Yorker,
11 May 2026
Adjective
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The film opens with its shy, sensitive twentysomething protagonist, Bear, struggling to confess his feelings for his childhood friend, Nikki.—
Alex Barasch,
New Yorker,
11 May 2026
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Under Xi's predecessor, Hu Jintao, China was more focused on economic integration and more sensitive to its international reputation, said Genser, who helped win another activist's freedom in 2007.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 May 2026
Adjective
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And Shuter is also reporting that Lively wanted a strict NDA during settlement negotiations, but the Baldoni camp refused.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
11 May 2026
-
Baltimore residents support stricter penalties Parents who spoke to WJZ-TV supported stricter penalties.—
Drew Aunkst,
CBS News,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
As our book makes clear, only collective action can neutralize a bully.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Time,
11 May 2026
-
With the big bad bully on the Western Conference block, the Edmonton Oilers, getting sent home early from the big dance, coupled with Marner's stellar play, Vegas could find its way back to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time since winning it all three seasons ago.—
Austin Perry OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
9 May 2026
Adjective
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Its large, dark green, leathery leaves measure 6 to 12 inches long, and remain on the tree year-round in warm climates.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
24 Apr. 2026
-
La Minerva’s quarters are in a perpetual mood, enhanced by a color story of herbal greens, silvery blues, leathery browns, and amber.—
Adam Erace,
Travel + Leisure,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tough.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tough. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
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