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 thug
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
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 22 Mar. 2025
Three tornado strikes in one lifetime is tough for Drope to wrap her head around.
—Mary Gilbert, CNN, 22 Mar. 2025
Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2023
Shots of Phoenix running from street toughs in his clown outfit are intercut with his social worker breaking up with him.
—Dan Brooks, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2019
See All Example Sentences for tough
Adjective
Bridgers shared that raising two children under two with very little help was tough.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 22 Mar. 2025
Three tornado strikes in one lifetime is tough for Drope to wrap her head around.
—Mary Gilbert, CNN, 22 Mar. 2025
Noun
By the numbers Gary Klein’s prediction The NFC West rival Rams and the Seahawks always play each other tough.
—Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2023
Shots of Phoenix running from street toughs in his clown outfit are intercut with his social worker breaking up with him.
—Dan Brooks, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2019
See All Example Sentences for tough
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tough
Adjective
-
Carol is brittle and reserved, but Blanchett is its resilient heart.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
15 Mar. 2025
-
The ivy on the wall behind the pool was brittle and charred, rubble littered the deck, and the water shone like a black mirror.—
Jeffrey Fleishman,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The shed has built-in ventilation, a window, sturdy flooring, and a padlock-compatible locking mechanism on the door.—
Maggie Horton,
People.com,
27 Mar. 2025
-
These insights shaped every detail of the grill—from the cook engine to the closed cabinet that discreetly hides the gas tank to the sturdy stainless-steel handle, a signature of Weber quality.—
Tim Clark,
Forbes.com,
27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Designed for hiking and other outdoor adventures, these water-resistant pants are made with UPF 50 protection from harsh sun rays along with several spacious, handy pockets.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
22 Mar. 2025
-
The source fears the men will never go to trial and could die in prison, given the harsh conditions and El Salvador's track record.—
Sergio Martínez-Beltrán,
NPR,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
As college sports continues its rapid professionalization, the ACC is in a difficult spot.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
19 Mar. 2025
-
Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
19 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
However, people with sensitive skin may experience mild skin irritation, which is often more prevalent with higher percentages of urea.—
Sherri Gordon,
Health,
19 Mar. 2025
-
Age is also a risk factor — older adults may already have issues with sleep due to existing health conditions, medications and chronic pain, and so may be especially sensitive to additional stress.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN,
19 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
For instance, while Jimmy Fallon and Stephen Colbert may try to adhere to a strict framing, Mulaney prefers a more meandering format between himself and announcer Richard Kind.—
Harrison Richlin,
IndieWire,
23 Mar. 2025
-
How much does your business rely on trade partners that have strict sustainability expectations?—
Paul Klein,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Jesse, understandably, has become more defensive about antisemitism since he was brutally attacked by thugs who singled him out for being Jewish.—
Charles McNulty,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Mar. 2025
-
The hundreds of attacks being made by Houthi, the sinister mobsters and thugs based in Yemen, who are hated by the Yemeni people, all emanate from, and are created by, IRAN.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
18 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The earliest figures, naked and missing limbs, some suffering gouges or pocked with what look like the holes of beetle larvae, bring to mind eerie tales of automata or the leathery agonies of bog bodies.—
Peter Ross,
Smithsonian Magazine,
5 Apr. 2023
-
Making her first appearance on The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon, the up-and-comer chose a leathery dress made of dark maroon panels that left a cutout pattern along the side.—
Elizabeth Logan,
Glamour,
25 Jan. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Tough.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tough. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.
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