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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1
as in to lick
to strike repeatedly
she was badly roughed up by her boxing partner
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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
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of rough
Lance Eliot, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Industrial pain : The industrials are having a rough day.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 24 Oct. 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
John Frank, Axios, 8 Sep. 2024
Think hot showers, wi-fi, and a comfortable bed, perks that might win over a spouse or partner who doesn’t like to rough it.
—Everett Potter, Forbes, 16 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for rough 
Adjective
My interpolations are only rough gauges since the chart has several generative AI apps shown, thus there are a lot of variabilities involved.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Industrial pain : The industrials are having a rough day.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 24 Oct. 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
Enjoying the fall colors in Colorado doesn't necessarily mean roughing it.
—John Frank, Axios, 8 Sep. 2024
Think hot showers, wi-fi, and a comfortable bed, perks that might win over a spouse or partner who doesn’t like to rough it.
—Everett Potter, Forbes, 16 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for rough
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rough
Adjective
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Sofia’s haircut is an early sign of her rebellion; a shaggy mullet that calls back to Jane Fonda in the 1970s thriller Klute.Gavia Baker-Whitelaw, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2024
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Style insiders are going all in on the look, too; fashion month’s crowds were awash in brushed knits, and New Yorkers of all stripes have pulled out their shaggiest jumpers as sweater weather has descended upon the city.Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 4 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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The abuse and neglect have long-lasting effects on an already vulnerable population and have even led to the conviction of some employees for violent crimes, the report says.Bianca Moreno-Paz, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
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Edward Kelley, 35, was found guilty in US District Court in Tennessee of conspiracy to murder federal employees, solicitation of violent crime and threatening a federal official, the department said in a press release.Hanna Park, CNN, 21 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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In the recent Saturday Night movie, which mythologizes the series’ turbulent birth, Gabrielle LaBelle (playing a young Michaels) gives a speech about how SNL should feel like a wild night out in the city, all jazz and revelry.Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 11 Nov. 2024
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In these turbulent times, the role of states in safeguarding fundamental rights has never been more crucial.Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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The move relegates Miller Moss to a reserve role after nine uneven starts this season.Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2024
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But the reality has been far more sluggish, marked by incremental progress and uneven adoption.Zennon Kapron, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Antiaircraft fire kept the bombers so high, however, that aim was difficult to manage, and the bombs fell indiscriminately, destroying more than 4,300 homes while damaging three-quarters of the city's factories.Lorenzino Estrada, The Arizona Republic, 22 Nov. 2024
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Lack of work-life balance can make stressful job environments even more difficult to manage.Erik Pham, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Bosa confirmed Wednesday that playing through a hip injury last game was the toughest pain he’s endured in 5 1/2 seasons.Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2024
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The Buffs need to find a way to grind out tough yards on the ground, especially late.Kyle Newman, The Denver Post, 15 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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The gruff verses in the latter still convey the sense that Shinoda thrives with an alternatingly coarser and softer vocal counterpart.Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 19 Nov. 2024
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Jason Isaacs brings gruff humor and gravitas to Doyle’s character, while Haley Joel Osment’s optimistic portrayal of Chet balances the film’s tone.Charlie Fink, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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The comedian with a penchant for pratfalls also did a popular impression of a clumsy President Gerald Ford and played the Landshark.EW.com, EW.com, 5 Oct. 2024
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What was trickiest to nail down was the thing that looks the clumsiest: the student film.Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 1 Oct. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Rough.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rough. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
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