1
as in shaggy
covered with or as if with hair
a face rough with a couple days' worth of beard
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in violent
marked by bursts of destructive force or intense activity
rough waters that made sailing our sloop a little risky
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in turbulent
marked by wet and windy conditions
at least wear a raincoat if you're going out into that rough weather
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in uneven
not having a level or smooth surface
a rough board can give you splinters
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort
a forensics expert who willingly takes on rough assignments
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in tough
difficult to endure
I've had a rough time of it since I lost my job
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in clumsy
hastily or roughly constructed
made a rough camp as darkness fell over the forest
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
9
as in vulgar
lacking in refinement or good taste
he learned polite words to replace the rough language he had known growing up
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in rowdy
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in to chop
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 rough
Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2024
There was one minor hiccup, however, when Wallen accidentally posted a very rough demo online that elicited a mixed response from confused fans.
—William Earl, Variety, 5 Dec. 2024
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
Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 27 Nov. 2024
But on the two-point conversation, Joe Burrow was hit near the facemask, which has been called roughing the passer plenty of times, and Baltimore might have gotten away with two separate defensive holdings on the play.
—Ryan Morik, Fox News, 8 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for rough 
Adjective
The company had a rough year in 2023 with a loss of $387 million in its third quarter.
—Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2024
There was one minor hiccup, however, when Wallen accidentally posted a very rough demo online that elicited a mixed response from confused fans.
—William Earl, Variety, 5 Dec. 2024
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
In a preview of the Fox show, Nicole, 32, is introduced alongside other star competitors set to rough it on season 3, like Denise Richards and Brody Jenner.
—Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 27 Nov. 2024
But on the two-point conversation, Joe Burrow was hit near the facemask, which has been called roughing the passer plenty of times, and Baltimore might have gotten away with two separate defensive holdings on the play.
—Ryan Morik, Fox News, 8 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for rough
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rough
Adjective
-
The event was presided over by Shealy himself, who was never far from his big, shaggy brown dog, Buster, or his girlfriend, Debbie Fields, the founder of Mrs. Fields Bakeries.Brienne Walsh, Forbes, 25 Nov. 2024
-
This might be a shaggy turkey story, but bear with us.Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 25 Nov. 2024
Adjective
-
The director, Lumumba Sayers, is now in jail awaiting trial for first-degree murder. $2.7 million in taxpayer dollars went to sober living facilities led by a mixed martial arts fighter with a violent criminal record.John Frank, Axios, 5 Dec. 2024
-
But witnesses to significant events, especially violent ones, are not given the option to stay silent.Bekah Waalkes, The Atlantic, 5 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
These winds can cause significant damage, increase the frequency of wildfires, and make firefighting efforts more challenging, while also posing aviation hazards and creating turbulent surf conditions.Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024
-
The special finds Iglesias in his 27th year in comedy, reminiscing on the perils of life: from dating, to home break-ins, to turbulent plane rides.Matt Grobar, Deadline, 11 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Blazy succeeds Virginie Viard, who exited Chanel last June after an uneven five-year tenure.WWD, WWD, 12 Dec. 2024
-
However, private organizations often lack regulatory mandates to enforce consistent practices, leading to uneven adoption of basic measures.Tony Bradley, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
But extracting data from a phone can be extremely difficult, depending on the model of the phone and the operating system.Holly Yan, CNN, 7 Dec. 2024
-
Add Fragrance That earthy pine scent is one aspect of a real tree that is difficult to part with when making the switch to faux.Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
In a time when people approach political, social and economic issues with a different set of information and fake news is rampant, the best way to do that is to approach tough conversations with stories rather than facts.Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024
-
The clients’ storefronts are positioned to succeed in a sometimes tough marketplace by focusing on exclusivity and quality.Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
And two of the other main actors had actually died, one during the shooting, Oliver Reed [who played the gruff gladiator trainer].Mia Galuppo, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Dec. 2024
-
Hearing those words, spoken in a gruff North of England accent, most Irish people over 40 will immediately start to hum a super-catchy guitar riff inspired by Celtic rockers Horslips.Jeff Rueter, The Athletic, 23 Nov. 2024
Adjective
-
Never mind the clumsy wording — taxes on U.S. citizens working abroad aren’t excessive so much as excessively complicated — this is one campaign promise that may actually be fulfilled, given the Republican control of both houses of Congress.Tyler Cowen, Sun Sentinel, 28 Nov. 2024
-
Walker believed traditional bass and treble controls were a clumsy way of tweaking tonal balance.Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024
Articles Related to rough
Thesaurus Entries Near rough
Cite this Entry
“Rough.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rough. Accessed 19 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share