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
Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 22 May 2025
Coastal trips After previously demonstrating that Viking vessels can handle open oceanic waters even in tough conditions, Jarrett was determined to explore their capabilities close to land and among the fjords.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 22 May 2025
Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2023
Shots of Phoenix running from street toughs in his clown outfit are intercut with his social worker breaking up with him.
—Dan Brooks, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2019
See All Example Sentences for tough
Adjective
Now, the regime is going to have to make tough decisions on how to deal with its realities and its people, which is its responsibility.
—Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 22 May 2025
Coastal trips After previously demonstrating that Viking vessels can handle open oceanic waters even in tough conditions, Jarrett was determined to explore their capabilities close to land and among the fjords.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 22 May 2025
Noun
By the numbers Gary Klein’s prediction The NFC West rival Rams and the Seahawks always play each other tough.
—Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2023
Shots of Phoenix running from street toughs in his clown outfit are intercut with his social worker breaking up with him.
—Dan Brooks, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2019
See All Example Sentences for tough
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tough
Adjective
-
Editors’ Picks Darren Criss Does the Robot Image Throughout her career, Ms. Sagan was defiant, facing interviewers with a brittle sophistication.—
Sadie Stein,
New York Times,
14 May 2025
-
Tectonics refers to the processes that deform a rocky planet’s brittle outer shell.—
Elise Cutts,
Scientific American,
13 May 2025
Adjective
-
For your safety, move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
14 May 2025
-
And one particular branch has become strapping and sturdy: Dave Roberts.—
Steve Henson,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2025
Adjective
-
This garment gets exposed to harsher conditions than most clothing.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
11 May 2025
-
More precipitation in these locations could make up for the harsh cold season.—
Jordan-Marie Smith,
NPR,
11 May 2025
Adjective
-
Two of Elissa’s tumors were obliterated that day, but the third was too difficult to reach without repositioning Elissa’s body in a way that would have taken too much time under anesthesia.—
Kristen Jordan Shamus,
USA Today,
19 May 2025
-
Luca Solca sector head for global luxury goods at Bernstein Clouding the picture further, many other premium Swiss watchmakers including Rolex, Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet, are privately owned, making their performance difficult to decipher.—
Karen Gilchrist,
CNBC,
18 May 2025
Adjective
-
Security clearance requirements limit the most sensitive jobs to U.S. citizens.—
Davis Winkie,
USA Today,
19 May 2025
-
This question asks for personal sensitive information that is protected by privacy laws.—
Ernesto Londoño,
New York Times,
18 May 2025
Adjective
-
By pinpointing high-privilege users and monitoring data-sharing behaviors, Reco assists CISOs in implementing stricter access controls.—
Maria Williams,
USA Today,
13 May 2025
-
Until May 24, stars attending premieres and other events sprinkled throughout the festival grounds will have to follow the organization's notoriously strict outfit guidelines, which appear to have only gotten tighter.—
Michelle Lee,
People.com,
12 May 2025
Noun
-
There’s no dearth of evil Imperial thugs in Andor — however, one character who seems to exist in a complicated moral gray is Lonni Jung (Robert Emms), a fellow ISB officer who attends Partagaz’s closed-door briefings alongside Dedra but relays the Empire’s plans to Luthen in secret.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Vulture,
21 Apr. 2025
-
Speaking of the stand: The prosecution’s main witness changes her damning testimony against Gomez when one of his thugs — the same guy that was trying to get Noah to get in his car — arrives in court and glares menacingly from the back row.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The leathery green leaves of wintergreen contrast well with its white flowers in summer, followed by bright red berries in fall.—
Rita Pelczar,
Better Homes & Gardens,
2 Mar. 2025
-
Pour Femme spotlights a lilac accord, while leathery, woody Pour Homme features juniper oil and orange flower absolute.—
Celia Shatzman,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tough.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tough. Accessed 25 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share