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

And on the rugged ninth hole, his tee shot held up in the grass just short of the bunker. —Doug Ferguson, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2025

Nance’s experience and rugged style of play were missed. —Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 15 May 2025

Who will sell them? VW infuriated many of its American dealers with plans to sell rugged Scout SUVs and pickups directly to consumers. —Mark Phelan, USA Today, 15 May 2025

The second webcam will cover the rugged cliffs where puffins, guillemots, razorbills, shags, and various species of gull typically gather. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 15 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