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
1
as in to lick
to strike repeatedly
she was badly roughed up by her boxing partner
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to abuse
to abuse physically
the photographer claimed that he had been roughed up by the actor's bodyguards outside the club
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 rough
Dianna Russini, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
In the latest episode of New Heights, released Wednesday, February 26, Travis, 35, admitted to Jason, 37, that he's been going through a rough time since the Chiefs lost to the Philadelphia Eagles on February 9 — and listening to 35-year-old Swift's music has helped.
—Ross Rosenfeld, Newsweek, 26 Feb. 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
Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Feb. 2025
Late hits and roughing the passer rank among plays that could soon be included on the list of reviewable plays.
—Mike Jones, The Athletic, 4 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rough
Adjective
The question now: What’s next, particularly after a rough two-year stint with the Jets?
—Dianna Russini, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
In the latest episode of New Heights, released Wednesday, February 26, Travis, 35, admitted to Jason, 37, that he's been going through a rough time since the Chiefs lost to the Philadelphia Eagles on February 9 — and listening to 35-year-old Swift's music has helped.
—Ross Rosenfeld, Newsweek, 26 Feb. 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 Golf Channel at one point stitched together clips of several players roughing it.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Feb. 2025
Late hits and roughing the passer rank among plays that could soon be included on the list of reviewable plays.
—Mike Jones, The Athletic, 4 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rough
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rough
Adjective
-
Welles, a singer-songwriter with a shaggy, dirty-blond mane and a sandpapery voice, has risen to recent prominence posting videos to social media of himself alone in the woods near his home in northwest Arkansas, performing wryly funny, politically engaged folk songs.—
David Peisner,
New York Times,
12 Feb. 2025
-
Average retail prices range from $215 to $495 for the line, which includes vibrant jackets with circular-type sleeves, miniskirts and a shaggy wool coat.—
Rosemary Feitelberg,
WWD,
10 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The court approved desegregation plan was fiercely resisted by the Boston School Committee and the many parents who took to the streets in, sometimes violent, protest.—
Aaron Kupchik,
TIME,
21 Feb. 2025
-
Of eight policies surveyed, his pardoning of people convicted of violent crimes in the January 6 Capitol riots was the least popular.—
Danielle Chemtob,
Forbes,
21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
His childhood was turbulent—his parents' frequent fights sometimes turned physical, with his father directing his frustrations at young Gene.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
27 Feb. 2025
-
The 1999 killing Syed and Lee both attended Woodlawn High School and had dated, broken up, reunited and broken up again in a relationship an appeals court described as turbulent.—
Chloe Atkins,
NBC News,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Connecticut transit riders urged lawmakers to bolster funding and services for the state’s local commuter railroads on Wednesday, as ridership continues to experience an uneven rebound from the pandemic.—
John Moritz,
Hartford Courant,
28 Feb. 2025
-
Two different curling irons — a 1-inch and a 1.5-inch — gave the pro uneven waves for a more natural feel.—
Jackie Fields,
People.com,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Stars of Durant’s stature can be notoriously difficult to pin down for interviews.—
Darnell Mayberry,
The Athletic,
23 Feb. 2025
-
Often, patio furniture can be bulky and difficult to store.—
Clint Davis,
People.com,
23 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Ties during Trump’s first term One of the hallmarks of the first Trump Administration was a tougher stance towards China compared to his predecessors, through tit-for-tat tariffs and an Indo-Pacific strategy that aimed to curb Beijing’s growing influence in the Western Pacific.—
Chad de Guzman,
TIME,
27 Feb. 2025
-
How to Bet Timberwolves vs. Lakers Following up a game like Tuesday's would be tough for the Wolves under any circumstances, but with Edwards battling a calf injury and DiVincenzo potentially sidelined, beating the Lakers in L.A. will be that much more difficult.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Ashanti’s lithe voice perfectly complimented Ja’s gruff vocal tone, providing Murder Inc.—
Andre Gee,
Rolling Stone,
10 Feb. 2025
-
The gruff men are Danny and Kyle McCray, an estranged father and son who’ve been reunited by a medical emergency.—
Elisabeth Egan,
New York Times,
14 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
What starts with a clumsy confession that threatened to derail their relationship altogether, ends with Mark and Helly closer than ever.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
21 Feb. 2025
-
Take a deep breath because these claims form just one part of a clumsy web of viral content, in which Ronaldo, Messi and their children are part of the collateral.—
Adam Crafton,
The Athletic,
19 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to rough
Cite this Entry
“Rough.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rough. Accessed 5 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share