1
as in shaggy
covered with or as if with hair
a face rough with a couple days' worth of beard
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2
as in violent
marked by bursts of destructive force or intense activity
rough waters that made sailing our sloop a little risky
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3
as in turbulent
marked by wet and windy conditions
at least wear a raincoat if you're going out into that rough weather
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4
as in uneven
not having a level or smooth surface
a rough board can give you splinters
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5
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort
a forensics expert who willingly takes on rough assignments
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6
as in tough
difficult to endure
I've had a rough time of it since I lost my job
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7
as in gruff
harsh and threatening in manner or appearance
the rough faces of hardened criminals who had spent most of their lives behind bars
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8
as in clumsy
hastily or roughly constructed
made a rough camp as darkness fell over the forest
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9
as in vulgar
lacking in refinement or good taste
he learned polite words to replace the rough language he had known growing up
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10
11
12
as in wild
marked by turmoil or disturbance especially of natural elements
after a rough week on the high seas, we were happy to sail through the gulf's more tranquil waters
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as in rowdy
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as in to chop
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rough
Sherri Gordon, Health, 3 Apr. 2025
Considering the Heat is just 10-26 this season in games against teams that currently have a winning record and will be playing on the second night of a rough back-to-back, Thursday’s matchup against the Grizzlies will be a tough one.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2025
Jill Newman, Robb Report, 18 Oct. 2023
Players will also encounter four-inch rough, which has been left to grow thickly undisturbed.
—Jim Owczarski, Journal Sentinel, 15 May 2023
David Faris, Newsweek, 19 Jan. 2025
With its patented retractable chassis that lowers it to the ground and an electric expansion system, the Touchdown promises an off-grid living experience that's far from roughing it.
—Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rough
Adjective
Flossing too aggressively or over-flossing: Being rough on your teeth or flossing more than once a day will not make your teeth cleaner.
—Sherri Gordon, Health, 3 Apr. 2025
Considering the Heat is just 10-26 this season in games against teams that currently have a winning record and will be playing on the second night of a rough back-to-back, Thursday’s matchup against the Grizzlies will be a tough one.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2025
Noun
That stone dates to 1878, when Charles Lewis Tiffany acquired the 287-carat rough that was unearthed in South Africa’s Kimberly mine, for a mere $18,000.
—Jill Newman, Robb Report, 18 Oct. 2023
Players will also encounter four-inch rough, which has been left to grow thickly undisturbed.
—Jim Owczarski, Journal Sentinel, 15 May 2023
Verb
The contact was deemed forcible and with the rule in place this season, when in doubt, the referees are instructed to call roughing the passer, erring on the side of protection for the quarterback.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 19 Jan. 2025
With its patented retractable chassis that lowers it to the ground and an electric expansion system, the Touchdown promises an off-grid living experience that's far from roughing it.
—Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rough
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rough
Adjective
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And yet the series is less a document of careful sleuthing and more a shaggy chronicle of teen-like longing for revelation and salvation.—
Naomi Fry,
New Yorker,
29 Mar. 2025
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Another farm experience is Kitchen Coos & Ewes, a safari-like tour of a farm in southwest Scotland with shaggy Highland cows and a record-breaking flock of beltex sheep.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Two weeks ago, a protest by retirees, joined by soccer fans and members of social and political organizations, ended in a violent clash between police and protesters.—
Manuela Castro,
CNN Money,
29 Mar. 2025
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Fast-talking criminals, boxing matches, violent action sequences, car charases, and notable stars (Tom Hardy, Helen Mirren, and Pierce Brosnan) are all present and accounted for.—
Savannah Salazar,
Vulture,
29 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Losses weren’t quite as dire as on Thursday for media and tech stocks, but the morning still signaled a glum end to a turbulent week.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
4 Apr. 2025
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From playing a spirited college student in All American: Homecoming to navigating the turbulent world of Snowfall, Williams has mastered the art of transformation.—
Shelby Stewart,
Essence,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The airflow also seemed uneven, requiring trays to be rotated during the dehydrating process.—
Jordan Liberty Phillips,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 Apr. 2025
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After running out of steam with the uneven 1992 sister albums Lucky Town and Human Touch, Springsteen spent most of the decade raising his kids and tentatively circling a reunion with the E Street Band while searching for new directions.—
Ryan Leas,
Vulture,
3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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There are very big match-ups being played week in and week out in what is one of the most difficult leagues to play in on the planet, this means the big contenders will drop points more often than in some other leagues.—
Joseph O'Sullivan,
Forbes.com,
1 Apr. 2025
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Generations of design successors have insisted that pie charts are difficult to read and even amount to optical informatic illusions, but we are still stuck with them.—
Mara Mills,
Artforum,
1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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That’s likely a tough pill to swallow for Gomez, who typically launches her albums at No. 1.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
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After some tough matchups in the Trader Joe’s Elite Sweets Tournament, one classic emerged as the champion.—
Lauren Thomann,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Simultaneously punched out, yet refusing to stay down for the count, a gruff Smith does his actorly best to understand, then diss, his public’s view of the slap heard round the world.—
A.D. Amorosi,
Variety,
28 Mar. 2025
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In a gruff voice, Fino speculated about what besides the mushroom might have caused the disease.—
Shayla Love,
The Atlantic,
23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Unlike clumsier species that struggle with obstacles, the black mamba leverages every surface with surgical precision, effectively turning the landscape into a series of launchpads.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
29 Mar. 2025
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There’s also a touching subplot for the clumsy, muted Dopey (Andrew Barth Feldman), who’s regularly the butt of the other dwarfs’ jokes.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA TODAY,
21 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rough.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rough. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.
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