rugged

adjective

rug·​ged ˈrə-gəd 

1

: having a rough uneven surface : jagged

rugged mountains

2

a

: seamed with wrinkles and furrows : weathered

—used of a human face

b

: showing facial signs of strength

rugged good looks

3

a

: presenting a severe test of ability, stamina, or resolution

b

: strongly built or constituted : robust

those that survive are stalwart, rugged men

—L. D. Stamp

4

a

: rough and strong in character

b

: coarse, rude

c

: austere, stern

5

: turbulent, stormy

rugged weather

6

obsolete : shaggy, hairy

ruggedly adverb

ruggedness noun

Synonyms

• cast-iron
• hard
• hard-bitten
• hardened
• hardy
• inured
• stout
• strong
• sturdy
• tough
• toughened
• vigorous

Choose the Right Synonym for rugged

rough, harsh, uneven, rugged, scabrous mean not smooth or even.

rough implies points, bristles, ridges, or projections on the surface.

a rough wooden board

harsh implies a surface or texture distinctly unpleasant to the touch.

a harsh fabric that chafes the skin

uneven implies a lack of uniformity in height, breadth, or quality.

an old house with uneven floors

rugged implies irregularity or roughness of land surface and connotes difficulty of travel.

a rugged landscape

scabrous implies scaliness or prickliness of surface.

a scabrous leaf

Examples of rugged in a Sentence

the rugged surface of the moon

She did a painting of the region's rugged coastline.

People are attracted to his rugged good looks.

I admire her rugged individualism.

Recent Examples on the Web

That won’t necessarily solve the spacing issues on the offensive end, but Looney is often Kerr’s counter in rugged environments and could help shore up the defensive issues that are becoming more troubling. —Anthony Slater, New York Times, 3 May 2025

Nestled against a mountainside in the rugged Alatau region surrounding Almaty, Kazakhstan, Mazhitova’s home is indeed singular, bringing to mind the cavelike villas designed by maverick French architect Jacques Couëlle in the 1950s and ’60s, or the rustic dwellings of Tolkien’s Middle-earth. —Amy Bradford, Architectural Digest, 3 May 2025

Along the way, travelers stay in luxurious accommodations set in rugged landscapes, like the collection’s new Dune Camp, which is set at the foot of the sand dunes near Peru’s Paracas National Reserve, a rugged and beautiful coastal park. —Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 2 May 2025

Black accents and warm shades converge in a color palette that interior designer Michelle Boudreau says was drawn from the surrounding environment – greens from cactus plants and earthy tones from rugged mountains framing the lush backyard. —Jackie Valley, Christian Science Monitor, 2 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle English *rug

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 6

Kids Definition

rugged

adjective

rug·​ged ˈrəg-əd 

1

: having a rough uneven surface

hiking on rugged trails

the rugged surface of the moon

2

: having wrinkles or uneven features

their rugged faces

rugged good looks

3

: having a rough but strong or sturdy character

rugged pioneers

4

: involving hardship : presenting a severe test of physical, mental, or moral strength

a rugged winter

rugged training

the rugged life of a sailor

5

: being strong and tough

rugged enough to stand hard use

ruggedly adverb

ruggedness noun