toughie

variants also toughy

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 toughie And special days call for special grids, such as this set of six toughies that were originally shelved but have remained in our hearts. Vulture Editors, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2025 Extra time may be spent looking for that toughie that was present just a few days ago. Taylor Piephoff, charlotteobserver, 15 Dec. 2017 Another cold-weather toughie is Alaska's red flat bark beetle, which, under lab conditions, can survive cooling down to minus 238 degrees Fahrenheit. Liz Langley, National Geographic, 10 Dec. 2016 The surprises come from Rachel McAdams, who holds her own as a wise-cracking toughie, and Peña, who defrosts from macho pride mode with low-key grace. Hugh Hart, WIRED, 29 Oct. 2008
Recent Examples of Synonyms for toughie
Noun
  • The local toughs, led by the sadistic Ace Merrill (Kiefer Sutherland), are headed the same way, albeit for different reasons.
    Sezin Devi Koehler September 1, EW.com, 1 Sep. 2025
  • The schedule turns more difficult in Week 3 by an order of magnitude with trips to Texas Tech and Oregon and then a sneaky-tough home date with Houston.
    Jon Wilner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Insist that the federal government deploy those resources to get the violent offenders who are killing, assaulting and robbing law-abiding citizens on the city’s South and West sides.
    Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Kentucky's persistent felony offender (PFO) law, enacted in 1974 and expanded in 1976, allows for enhanced sentences for repeat felony offenders.
    Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 3 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Lawmakers in many states have changed the rules in recent decades to protect winners from being targeted by criminals and unscrupulous people asking for money.
    Safiyah Riddle, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Her Eco-Age consultancy, targeted by criminals and forced to close in 2024 after 17 years in business, had advised clients on industry developments, changes to government policies and practical guidance on how to avoid greenwashing.
    Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 6 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Along the way, the Lions had become the bully of the division, winning back-to-back divisional titles.
    Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • The Sooners presented a blueprint to slow the Big Ten bully.
    Mitch Sherman, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • We’re then introduced to Louie, a thug who works for a loan shark, threatening and killing people.
    Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Their neighbor, an older Jewish woman, gets arrested and Nazi thugs brazenly loot her apartment.
    Rabih Alameddine September 2, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Toughie.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toughie. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!