1
as in clumsy
hastily or roughly constructed
a survivalist living in a rough-hewn shelter in the wilderness
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in crass
lacking in refinement or good taste
a rough-hewn kid who had to learn how to behave properly in polite company
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in uncomfortable
lacking social grace and assurance
rough-hewn military cadets feeling a little self-conscious at their first formal dance
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rough-hewn
Rodney Atkins kicks off the 52nd CMA Fest's final evening
Knoxville native Rodney Atkins' rough-hewn country vocal performances kicked off the final evening of the 52nd CMA Fest at Nissan Stadium.
—
Bryan West, The Tennessean, 30 May 2025
When doused with water, the leather shrank, and the feathers expanded, and this rough-hewn ball would have flown well for the day, enabling golfers to make truer shots.
—Miles Corwin, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 June 2025
Over the years, Butler has become proficient at playing exceptional Average Joes: rough-hewn, relatable Everymen thrust into extraordinary circumstances that require dramatic feats of skill and bravery.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 16 June 2025
Here, a twig fence and rough-hewn steps lend structure to a path while looking at one with the lush landscape.
2.
—Miranda Crowell, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for rough-hewn
Bryan West, The Tennessean, 30 May 2025
When doused with water, the leather shrank, and the feathers expanded, and this rough-hewn ball would have flown well for the day, enabling golfers to make truer shots.
—Miles Corwin, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 June 2025
Over the years, Butler has become proficient at playing exceptional Average Joes: rough-hewn, relatable Everymen thrust into extraordinary circumstances that require dramatic feats of skill and bravery.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 16 June 2025
Here, a twig fence and rough-hewn steps lend structure to a path while looking at one with the lush landscape.
2.
—Miranda Crowell, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for rough-hewn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rough-hewn
Adjective
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This is a huge bonus for a clumsy gal like myself, who often trips over air.—
Jacqueline Tempera,
People.com,
14 Aug. 2025
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The scale of the problem became terrifyingly clear during the Covid-19 pandemic, as the Japanese government struggled to respond to a nationwide crisis with clumsy digital tools.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
9 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The tone has been combative, crass, and what’s been defended as fighting fire with fire.—
Barnini Chakraborty,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Aug. 2025
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Liverpool fans know how hurtful crass chants can be.—
Simon Hughes,
New York Times,
19 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
But beneath the glittering headlines lies the uncomfortable truth: the advertised jackpot is not the real prize, the odds are stacked against players, and the system relies heavily on the very people most vulnerable to financial strain.—
Doug Melville,
Forbes.com,
28 Aug. 2025
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An uncomfortable Lydia attempted to change the subject, but her dad kept going.—
Liza Esquibias,
People.com,
27 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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My mother, just beneath her skin, housed a palpable rage, and my father’s cheeks were pocked and rough from ingrown hairs.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Aug. 2025
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Battlefield 6 hype is losing a bit of steam with changes to its second beta run, involving new additions, controversial decisions and rough retreads of old modes.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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As deadly wildfires raged across Southern California in January, a Los Angeles city official lamented to the city council and others how they were forced to listen to hateful, vulgar language from some members of the public.—
BrieAnna J. Frank,
USA Today,
13 Aug. 2025
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Her choice to respond by telling me to 'shut the f*** up' and to 'calm my p*****' was vulgar, dismissive and escalated the issue entirely.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Unlike taking space to cool down, which is a much healthier strategy, the silent treatment is used specifically to make the other partner feel uneasy.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
25 Aug. 2025
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The pair form an uneasy and sometimes humorous alliance while uncovering a drug ring revolving around a dangerous alien narcotic.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
24 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Russia accounted for nearly 36% of India’s total crude oil imports in 2024.—
AFP,
Fortune,
27 Aug. 2025
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While negotiations between Washington and New Delhi are expected to continue, any impact on economic activity in India - the world’s third-largest consumer of crude oil after the U.S. and China - will likely be bearish for the oil market.—
Gaurav Sharma,
Forbes.com,
26 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Fox News host Dana Perino, a former White House press secretary, called out how rude the governor’s messages tended to be.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
24 Aug. 2025
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The Russian military faced a rude surprise on Ukrainian battlefields in part because in Vladimir Putin’s Russia, professionalism is secondary to politics.—
David French,
Mercury News,
20 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rough-hewn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rough-hewn. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.
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