variants
also toughy
as in tough
a violent, brutal person who is often a member of an organized gang
after numerous suspensions, the school toughies were finally expelled for gang activities on campus
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Examples 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 toughie
Extra time may be spent looking for that toughie that was present just a few days ago.
—
Taylor Piephoff, charlotteobserver, 15 Dec. 2017
The surprises come from Rachel McAdams, who holds her own as a wise-cracking toughie, and Peña, who defrosts from macho pride mode with low-key grace.
—Hugh Hart, WIRED, 29 Oct. 2008
Another cold-weather toughie is Alaska's red flat bark beetle, which, under lab conditions, can survive cooling down to minus 238 degrees Fahrenheit.
—Liz Langley, National Geographic, 10 Dec. 2016
Taylor Piephoff, charlotteobserver, 15 Dec. 2017
The surprises come from Rachel McAdams, who holds her own as a wise-cracking toughie, and Peña, who defrosts from macho pride mode with low-key grace.
—Hugh Hart, WIRED, 29 Oct. 2008
Another cold-weather toughie is Alaska's red flat bark beetle, which, under lab conditions, can survive cooling down to minus 238 degrees Fahrenheit.
—Liz Langley, National Geographic, 10 Dec. 2016
Recent Examples of Synonyms for toughie
Noun
-
Williams is already Beale Street jerky tough and looks like a plug-and-play 3-and-D wing.Kelly Iko, The Athletic, 11 Apr. 2024
-
When a set of tortuous toughs relocate to the neighborhood, his temperament shifts and the scenes increasingly unravel the inner workings of his shaken psyche.Holly Jones, Variety, 23 Sep. 2024
Noun
-
Murder on Music Row, an investigative podcast from The Tennessean, focuses on the 1989 murder of country music chart director Kevin Hughes, who tried to operate with integrity in a business full of sharks and criminals.Keith Sharon, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024
-
A lot of criminals when confronted with the potential of being bitten by a police canine immediately surrender.Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 19 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Good Morning Britain, ITV1, 30 May – 1,777 complaints Complaints followed a debate between two guests, Mike Parry and Kay Taiwo about whether XL bullies should be put down.Max Goldbart, Deadline, 19 Dec. 2024
-
Like Daniel LaRusso before him, Li has trouble with bullies at school, and ultimately joins a karate competition and turns to his old sensei, Mr. Han, for training.Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 17 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Kidnappings for ransom became common, and checkpoints operated as cash grabs for local thugs.Loubna Mrie, The Atlantic, 20 Dec. 2024
-
The Romans liked to give the appearance of civilized rule by getting local thugs to do their dirty work.N.T. Wright, TIME, 20 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near toughie
Cite this Entry
“Toughie.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toughie. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share