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as in raw
being such as found in nature and not altered by processing or refining a sizable spill of crude oil along a coastline is the worst kind of environmental disaster

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective crude differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of crude are raw, rough, and rude. While all these words mean "lacking in social refinement," crude may apply to thought or behavior limited to the gross, the obvious, or the primitive.

a crude joke

When could raw be used to replace crude?

In some situations, the words raw and crude are roughly equivalent. However, raw suggests being untested, inexperienced, or unfinished.

turning raw youths into polished performers

When would rough be a good substitute for crude?

The words rough and crude can be used in similar contexts, but rough is likely to stress lack of polish and gentleness.

rough manners

When might rude be a better fit than crude?

The synonyms rude and crude are sometimes interchangeable, but rude implies ignorance of or indifference to good form; it may suggest intentional discourtesy.

rude behavior

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 crude These are components of crude oil, and they're separated from that oil during the refinement process. Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 21 Mar. 2025 Jet fuel is thinner than crude oil and spreads rapidly to form a film on the surface of the water. Lauren Lowman, WIRED, 15 Mar. 2025 Suncor operates the only refinery in Colorado, processing about 98,000 barrels of crude oil per day. Noelle Phillips, The Denver Post, 13 Mar. 2025 The measures included a ban on seaborne Russian crude oil exports and a price cap of $60 per barrel on Russian oil. Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for crude
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crude
Adjective
  • Those violations included employees walking through sewage water to use the wait station, French toast mix made with raw eggs over a container of pickles, and salmon patties held at the wrong temperatures.
    Garfield Hylton, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Mar. 2025
  • Grilled, steamed, baked, or raw—artichokes are a versatile spring vegetable.
    Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Houde said these mammoth animals are a primitive group of proboscideans ('elephantoids') from which modern elephants evolved.
    Joseph J. Kolb, Fox News, 18 July 2017
  • Many are primitive and remote, and don’t have restrooms or water.
    OregonLive.com, OregonLive.com, 12 July 2017
Adjective
  • Over time, authorities also sidelined activities like sumo wrestling—considered vulgar by Westerners—in favor of baseball, boating, mountain climbing, and other activities popular in the West.
    Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 23 Mar. 2025
  • Cornelius said that the superintendent later informed her of other prior incidents including her son — who has autism and is nonverbal — getting a shower without her permission, getting called vulgar names by staff and teachers, and receiving other inappropriate comments.
    Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Some segments of the Democratic coalition would find Piker to be edgy, or crass, or even despicable.
    Andrew Marantz, The New Yorker, 17 Mar. 2025
  • That’s a straightforward, even sympathetic premise with a crass edge to boot.
    J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Kisses her mouth, but the gesture is awkward, clumsy; their teeth strike together, and Brianna winces.
    Joyce Carol Oates, The New Yorker, 16 Mar. 2025
  • As well as making a star of Alicia Silverstone, the original movie showcased the talents of Paul Rudd who played her stepbrother Josh (and went onto become Phoebe’s partner in Friends and take on the role of Ant Man) and the late Brittany Murphy, who played Cher’s clumsy friend Tai.
    Lee Sharrock, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • This commitment to preserving natural biodiversity, along with the presence of cooperatives that support small-scale farmers, aligns with the growing consumer demand for wines produced in an environmentally responsible manner.
    Rachel King, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025
  • The creamy product offers buildable medium coverage with a natural finish.
    Jenny Berg, Vogue, 22 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • When a new student arrives in the middle of the year with rudimentary English skills, the bilingual aide helps them, and me, out by providing direct support that suits their needs.
    Jeremy DeLuca, Hartford Courant, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Chase scenes are easily tracked over rich urban terrain, and shootouts tend to play out in clear, rudimentary compositions.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Taken by the apparent deterioration of his health, users made those clips go viral and eventually adapted the money spread into a mini-dance trend where users bop to the song before flaunting an obscene amount of cash (or weed baggies or fishing lures!).
    Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 19 Mar. 2025
  • But there are more visible and indecent »Paris Game« leftovers: the enormous/obscene sportsbook ads on display at every other métro station.
    Eduardo Tansley, The Athletic, 23 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Crude.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crude. Accessed 30 Mar. 2025.

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