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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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of rough
Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025
That way, your rough and weathered heels will be healed and hydrated.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 9 Jan. 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
Sofia Perez, Forbes, 1 Dec. 2024
While roughing it in minimal tents on misshapen ground is the norm for American backpackers, inn-to-inn hiking lets a trekker luxuriate with a hot meal and a plush bed at the end of a long foot-sore day.
—Dakota Kim, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for rough 
Adjective
This is a rough first cut of Biden's foreign policy legacy.
—Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025
That way, your rough and weathered heels will be healed and hydrated.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 9 Jan. 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
Even those roughing it in the great outdoors can still eat like a king or a queen.
—Sofia Perez, Forbes, 1 Dec. 2024
While roughing it in minimal tents on misshapen ground is the norm for American backpackers, inn-to-inn hiking lets a trekker luxuriate with a hot meal and a plush bed at the end of a long foot-sore day.
—Dakota Kim, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for rough
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rough
Adjective
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Beyoncé is dressed head to toe in white with an enormous fur cowboy hat and a shaggy coat cascading around her.Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 11 Dec. 2024
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Add eggs: Add flour mixture to egg mixture in medium bowl and mix using clean hands to form a shaggy dough.Liv Dansky, Southern Living, 8 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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In it, Elphaba and Galinda profess their undying friendship; suffice it to say that Grande found the notion of treating her co-star with violent hostility an acting challenge.Daniel D'Addario, Variety, 2 Jan. 2025
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Against a backdrop of violent tensions between Egyptians and various African nationalities, Aisha’s situation turns sour after a local gang offers her protection in exchange for a favor.Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 1 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Aikman too had some turbulent times early in his career with the Dallas Cowboys.Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2025
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But wearied by a turbulent couple of years that saw points deductions, relegation battles and near-constant speculation over the future of the club, the 53-year-old made clear his view that his methods were no longer having the same impact.Patrick Boyland, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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But the junior point guard has had an uneven transition.Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 11 Jan. 2025
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Since this type of coating has an uneven texture, the bath mat may wear out faster than other options.Moriah Mason, Southern Living, 10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Despite his success, Axiom’s presence in WWE is remarkable, as professional wrestling remains niche in Spain and has been difficult to find on TV.Jamie Lang, Variety, 6 Jan. 2025
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However, the complexity of the systems required to control so many qubits makes scalability difficult.Peter Cohan, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Resolutions often fail due to an all-or-nothing mindset full of tough self-criticism.Jane Hanson, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
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Rempe became a fan favorite in New York as a rookie last season, making a name for himself around the NHL by fighting the league's biggest and toughest stalwarts.Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The first episode shows Dr. Robby leading a group of young medical students and residents on a tour of their new workplace, their faces just as much a mixture of terror and wonder as Carter’s was when his gruff mentor Peter Benton led him around County General on his first day.Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 3 Jan. 2025
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The beloved coach who has a sweetly gruff persona also joked about how he’s fared as a patient.Anna Lazarus Caplan, People.com, 17 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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One of its stranger spinoffs was the grandiose, tactically clumsy Symbionese Liberation Army — an army of perhaps a dozen white men and women led by a black escaped convict.Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2024
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Maye represents Tomorrowland for an organization that’s desperately trying to move on from a half-decade of clumsy, disheveled yesterdays, which means his health and fitness are mighty important.Steve Buckley, The Athletic, 29 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Rough.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rough. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
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