1
2
as in sturdy
able to withstand hardship, strain, or exposure
this is a tough plant that easily withstands harsh winters
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in harsh
difficult to endure
tough weather conditions on the top of the mountain all year long
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort
even if you study for it, it's still a tough exam
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in sensitive
requiring exceptional skill or caution in performance or handling
handled a tough situation with the aplomb and tact of a true diplomat
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in strict
given to exacting standards of discipline and self-restraint
a tough supervisor who docked the pay of anyone who punched in late, no matter what the reason
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in bully
a violent, brutal person who is often a member of an organized gang
didn't want her son hanging out with the neighborhood toughs
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tough
Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 28 May 2026
That fourth game to win is always the toughest.
—Arpon Basu, New York Times, 28 May 2026
Josh Shepardson, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Doing so with a CVS receipt-long injury list is all kinds of tough.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tough
Adjective
By then, Thomsen says, the public perception had shifted from regarding it as tough and controversial to seeing it as desperate and pathetic.
—Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 28 May 2026
That fourth game to win is always the toughest.
—Arpon Basu, New York Times, 28 May 2026
Noun
Meanwhile, a running back on the underdog 49ers will find the sledding tough on the ground, providing gamblers with a desirable rushing under to bet.
—Josh Shepardson, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Doing so with a CVS receipt-long injury list is all kinds of tough.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tough
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tough
Adjective
-
In the Evening With their sweet flavor and chewy texture, dates are a perfect evening snack to satisfy post-dinner dessert cravings and a healthier alternative to refined sugar options, like cookies or brownies.—
Cristina Mutchler,
Verywell Health,
25 May 2026
-
In a world full of over-the-top snacks and viral desserts, there’s something comforting about a classic piece of chewy taffy that tastes like summer vacation.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
18 May 2026
Adjective
-
Be sure to cover your head and neck with your arms, and crawl under a sturdy table if possible.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
29 May 2026
-
Tutt and his teams have worked on engineering designs to safely drop anything needing a sturdy parachute — including the Orion capsule that splashed down last month off the coast of San Diego after its 477,710-mile journey to the moon and back.—
Pat Maio,
Oc Register,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
The table tells a harsher story.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 May 2026
-
The girls’ mother, who traveled to appear in court Thursday with Doe 8, called for a harsh punishment and described how O’Connor, once in Idaho, helped sneak out Doe 8 to see her son, at one point provided them a hotel room.—
Robert Salonga,
Mercury News,
28 May 2026
Adjective
-
Building the program had proved difficult.—
Andrew Carter,
Chicago Tribune,
24 May 2026
-
Sindcom 14-Piece Food Storage Containers Set The pantry is one of the most difficult places to organize thanks to boxes of cereal, pasta, baking ingredients, and more scattered about.—
Kelsey Fredricks,
PEOPLE,
24 May 2026
Adjective
-
But in all these cases, unopened soda is shelf-stable and not sensitive to refrigeration cycles.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
24 May 2026
-
Raw vegetables may preserve nutrients that are sensitive to heat, while cooked vegetables can make others easier to absorb.—
Lynn Andriani,
Martha Stewart,
24 May 2026
Adjective
-
Top oil-consuming countries have been releasing reserves to help offset shortfalls while other countries have enacted strict rationing policies.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
26 May 2026
-
Guardiola worked hard in those first months to establish a close bond between the players, implementing strict rules designed to ensure certain behaviours became second-nature.—
Sam Lee,
New York Times,
25 May 2026
Noun
-
The Knicks have become the Eastern Conference bullies.—
Kristian Winfield,
Sun Sentinel,
25 May 2026
-
The Knicks have become the Eastern Conference bullies.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
24 May 2026
Adjective
-
Oaks also produce superior leaf litter with thick, leathery leaves that can take up to three years to break down, thereby sheltering beneficial insects and protecting topsoil.—
Luke Miller,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 May 2026
-
Its large, dark green, leathery leaves measure 6 to 12 inches long, and remain on the tree year-round in warm climates.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tough.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tough. Accessed 30 May. 2026.
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