CRUDE Synonyms: 327 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

crude

adjective

ˈkrüd

Definition of crude next

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in primitive

belonging to or characteristic of an early level of skill or development the crude stone tools that those prehistoric peoples used

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as in vulgar

depicting or referring to sexual matters in a way that is unacceptable in polite society crude jokes can be considered sexual harassment

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as in crass

lacking in refinement or good taste any discussion of one's money is considered crude by the club's blue-blooded members

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as in clumsy

hastily or roughly constructed a crude hut that was constructed by some shipwrecked sailors

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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

Examples 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 Jori Lewis examines these crude and cruel associations in her essay for Switchyard, an exciting new magazine based at the University of Tulsa. —

Longreads, 19 Dec. 2024 As the writer and climate activist Bill McKibben notes, Democrats going back to Barack Obama have touted the American gas boom, glossing it as a step toward a cleaner power source than crude oil or coal. —

Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 18 Dec. 2024 Bearish sentiment has swept the energy market, pushing U.S. crude oil prices down about 1% this year and global benchmark Brent down more than 4% as traders fear an imbalance between supply and demand. —

Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 18 Dec. 2024 About 60% of U.S. crude oil imports are from Canada and a fifth of the crude refined in the U.S. comes from Canada. —

Rob Gillies, Los Angeles Times, 13 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for crude

Recent Examples of Synonyms for crude

Adjective

Daboll oversaw the development of Josh Allen from a raw prospect to an MVP-caliber quarterback after getting picked No. 7 by the Bills in 2018.

Dan Duggan, The Athletic, 27 Dec. 2024
People should also wash their hands after handling raw animal products and limit contact with sick or dead animals.

Andy Biggs, Newsweek, 26 Dec. 2024