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 piece exemplifies the power of citizen journalism to provide raw, intimate storytelling where traditional media access is restricted, offering a vital and humanizing perspective on a deeply complex conflict. Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 17 Apr. 2025 The piece exemplifies the power of citizen journalism to provide raw, intimate storytelling where traditional media access is restricted, offering a vital and humanizing perspective on a deeply complex conflict. Brande Victorian, HollywoodReporter, 17 Apr. 2025
Noun
Employee cracked a raw shelled egg with gloved hands then handled a clean plate and kitchen utensils without washing hands between tasks. Ebony Day, azcentral, 25 Dec. 2019 Tim RoneyGetty Images Her 1995 raw, ragey, best-selling album, Jagged Little Pill, spoke to a generation—and inspired a musical of the same name, opening on Broadway this month. Alanis Morissette, Marie Claire, 8 Nov. 2019 See All Example Sentences for raw
Recent Examples of Synonyms for raw
Adjective
  • Its menu, not yet finalized, will feature Nigerian pepper soup with turkey breast, red chili and olive oil, roast beef kebabs with black and red pepper and passata (uncooked tomato puree), along with whole fried and stewed fish.
    Rod Stafford Hagwood, Sun Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2025
  • But whatever happens, hopefully the governor will use uncooked numbers this time.
    George Skelton, Mercury News, 29 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The spill killed 11 people and injured 17 others as 210 million gallons of crude oil were released into the Gulf of Mexico (recently renamed by the U.S. government as Gulf of America) for a total of 87 days.
    Terry Collins, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025
  • But recently the price of Russian crude oil, called Urals, has dipped close to $50 per barrel.
    Laura Kelly, The Hill, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Interesting, turbulent life (including 22 years in prison).
    Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Overanalyzing every win and loss will make your journey feel more turbulent than necessary.
    Nelson Chu, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • But the vampires’ descent on the juke joint ups the suspense and becomes genuinely scary, at first with the unsettling charm of their ancient leader, Remmick (Jack O’Connell, chilling), and eventually the brutal carnage of their siege.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025
  • This will have a chilling effect for founders and innovators in the crypto/digital asset space looking to build infrastructure, particularly involving privacy preserving technology.
    Andrea Tinianow, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Many of his biting posts have gone viral, drawing thousands of shares and millions of views.
    Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2025
  • The criticism from Barney Ronay at The Guardian was even more biting.
    Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Of course, there has also been rampant speculation that Styles could be the latest marquee WWE star to jump ship to AEW.
    Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Obviously the rampant physical comedy benefits from a lot of special effects and stunts.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Although eclipse glasses were essential to see any other part of the eclipse, totality was strictly a naked eyesight.
    Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • In Caruso, voters saw a former Republican, and an antiabortion one at that, who had switched his party affiliation for naked political expediency.
    Robert Petkoff Krish Seenivasan Quinton Kamara, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The exemptions were a rare piece of good news for the battered financial markets, and U.S. stocks closed higher Monday.
    John Bacon, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2025
  • In rare cases, legislative changes could extend the window.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Raw.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/raw. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

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