raw 1 of 2

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as in crude
being such as found in nature and not altered by processing or refining raw sugar is honey-colored because the crystals retain cane juices, minerals, and other impurities that haven't been refined out

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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as in biting
causing intense discomfort to one's skin bundle up if you're going sailing, as there's a raw wind out there in the bay

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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raw

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noun

as in nudity
the state of having no clothes on one's body a secluded swimming hole where we could swim in the raw

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective raw differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of raw are crude, rough, and rude. While all these words mean "lacking in social refinement," raw suggests being untested, inexperienced, or unfinished.

turning raw youths into polished performers

When might crude be a better fit than raw?

The words crude and raw can be used in similar contexts, but crude may apply to thought or behavior limited to the gross, the obvious, or the primitive.

a crude joke

When could rough be used to replace raw?

The meanings of rough and raw largely overlap; however, rough is likely to stress lack of polish and gentleness.

rough manners

When is rude a more appropriate choice than raw?

The words rude and raw are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 raw
Adjective
The imagery is raw and unfiltered, celebrating clothes in motion, sweat, and spontaneity. Essence, 29 Sep. 2025 Make sure to stop at the Wool Tent for raw, washed and ready to spin fleece from sheep, alpacas, goats, llamas and even rabbits. Caroline Ritzie, Cincinnati Enquirer, 28 Sep. 2025
Noun
If ingested raw, pathogens may remain on the surface of the placenta. Marley Dewey, The Conversation, 16 May 2025 These ones turn out amazing—topped with sugar in the raw. Bon Appétit Contributor, Bon Appétit, 22 Mar. 2024 See All Example Sentences for raw
Recent Examples of Synonyms for raw
Adjective
  • All were grown side-by-side and blended into uncooked soy-milk-style slurries.
    Pranjal Malewar, New Atlas, 20 Sep. 2025
  • Chagas can be spread through blood transfusion, organ transplants, consuming uncooked food contaminated with feces from infected bugs, accidental exposure in a lab and from pregnant women to their babies.
    Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Brandon, his nerves showing, spoke about the oil boom, cartel activity, copper and crude-oil theft, and the struggles the six law enforcement officers in the county have dealing with it all.
    Mitch Moxley, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 2025
  • Chad Powers’ nasty protagonist should give it license to be more cutting, rather than just unimaginatively crude, in its humor.
    Judy Berman, Time, 26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • But their pitchers exploited enough batters on an inexperienced team that is now two losses from 100 for the season, and the Padres held on for a 3-2 victory over the White Sox on Sunday.
    Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Sep. 2025
  • Founders are often too eager to scale, or too inexperienced to evaluate talent, and the financial hit isn’t felt immediately.
    Anuradha Gupta, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Palace’s results this season are all the more impressive on the back of a turbulent summer that was totally overshadowed by the decisions made by UEFA and the Court of Arbitration for Sport to demote the club from the Europa League to the Conference League.
    Stuart James, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
  • While hundreds of people who were arrested went free without charge during that turbulent year, prosecutors are now pointing to those past protests in a warning to people who hope to send a message about ICE.
    Andy Rose, CNN Money, 28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • In a chilling case of deception and domestic violence, what appeared to be months of stalking by an ex-boyfriend turned out to be an elaborate scheme orchestrated by a Colorado woman's own husband, culminating in her murder just days before Christmas.
    Doc Louallen, ABC News, 26 Sep. 2025
  • The film’s chilling representation of American politics may be an unintentional departure from the novel’s more whimsical energy.
    Andrew McGowan, Variety, 26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The characters have this sharp, biting, British humor.
    Alex Ritman, Variety, 28 Aug. 2025
  • There’s Bud the biting cat, played by a feline named Tonic and who deserves a three-picture deal.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 28 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Through USBs passed by hand, through cell phone speakers on crowded buses, through late-night parties backdropped by the sea, in the repartos, fiery and rampant, the genre made its name.
    Ana González Vilá, Rolling Stone, 25 Sep. 2025
  • Or the rampant crime and drug use in the South End around Mass and Cass.
    Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • So with that, don’t expect naked dressing to go anywhere anytime soon—Dakota Johnson still has much to say on the matter, with gala and awards seasons very much in motion now.
    Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Wandering among the half naked nymphs and leering wolves and buff mermen poking their lovely wet heads out of glassy forest pools, their eyes dark with wanting to drag her down to oblivion.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Raw.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/raw. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.

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