raw 1 of 2

adjective

ˈrȯ How to pronounce raw (audio)
Definition of rawnext
1
as in uncooked
not cooked you should wash your hands after handling raw chicken

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in crude
being such as found in nature and not altered by processing or refining raw sugar is honey-colored because the crystals retain cane juices, minerals, and other impurities that haven't been refined out

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in inexperienced
lacking in adult experience or maturity recruiters like to say the military turns raw youths into responsible men and women

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in turbulent
marked by wet and windy conditions the day of the funeral turned out to be one of those bleak, blustery, raw winter days that was as gloomy as our spirits

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in chilling
uncomfortably cool evenings in those mountains, even during the summer, tend to be a little raw

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in biting
causing intense discomfort to one's skin bundle up if you're going sailing, as there's a raw wind out there in the bay

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in rampant
showing no signs of being under control a frightening display of raw anger

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in naked
lacking or shed of clothing a pristine stretch of sand where beachgoers commonly sunbathe raw

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

raw

2 of 2

noun

as in nudity
the state of having no clothes on one's body a secluded swimming hole where we could swim in the raw

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective raw differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of raw are crude, rough, and rude. While all these words mean "lacking in social refinement," raw suggests being untested, inexperienced, or unfinished.

turning raw youths into polished performers

When might crude be a better fit than raw?

The words crude and raw can be used in similar contexts, but crude may apply to thought or behavior limited to the gross, the obvious, or the primitive.

a crude joke

When could rough be used to replace raw?

The meanings of rough and raw largely overlap; however, rough is likely to stress lack of polish and gentleness.

rough manners

When is rude a more appropriate choice than raw?

The words rude and raw are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, rude implies ignorance of or indifference to good form; it may suggest intentional discourtesy.

rude behavior

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 raw
Adjective
This division manages the extraction and initial transport logistics for the raw thorium resource. — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 3 July 2026 Preserving a skill set—especially in an era when so much production happens far from view of the buyer—makes the shop one of the rare places where visitors can watch the craft of cowboy hats unfold in real time, from raw felt to finished crown. — Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 July 2026
Noun
Lina is played by the ghoulishly-great Betty Gilpin, who does in her craft what real-life Lina does in her soul—glitter in the raw. — Denise Petski, Deadline, 4 June 2025 This, then, was Oasis in the raw, a throwback to their unstoppable ascent in much smaller venues than this rather than the enormo-dome gigs of their latter years. — Mark Sutherland, Variety, 4 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for raw
Recent Examples of Synonyms for raw
  1. uncooked
  2. natural
  3. inexperienced
  4. turbulent
  5. chilling
  6. biting
  7. rampant
  8. naked
Adjective
  • The raw food diet emphasizes eating uncooked and minimally processed foods.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 June 2026
  • Cooked and uncooked shellfish — including their juices — should be kept separate to avoid contamination.
    — Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 1 June 2026
Definition of uncooked
Adjective
  • By triggering the release of a natural growth factor in the brain and modulating neural pathways associated with addiction and reward, ibogaine restores healthy dopamine function and reduces cravings, Barsuglia said.
    — Gavin Escott, USA Today, 6 July 2026
  • This multitasking hair care product is known for reducing frizz, boosting shine, and hydrating split ends, and some natural oils even help with hair growth.
    — Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 5 July 2026
Definition of natural
Adjective
  • Over the same period, entry-level head count at the high-intensity firms rose 12%, contradicting predictions and fears that young or inexperienced workers would be most at risk of losing their jobs to AI.
    — Rachel Barber, USA Today, 1 July 2026
  • Immer and Lois work with land stewards to find projects that make sense for eager but often inexperienced volunteers.
    — Pedro Moura, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
Definition of inexperienced
Adjective
  • Weaker global markets, which have impacted tech stock valuations, and the turbulent performance of SpaceX’s recent massive IPO were among the top concerns cited by insiders who have made the case that patience is a virtue.
    — John Kell, Fortune, 1 July 2026
  • His confirmation closes one of the most turbulent presidential searches in UF history.
    — Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 1 July 2026
Definition of turbulent
Adjective
  • Made-from-scratch cheesecake doesn’t seem so hard when made as cupcakes where there’s no water bath, springform pan, and long chilling time required.
    — Brennan Long, Southern Living, 3 July 2026
  • Bell on Wednesday reaffirmed his support for Florida’s institutional neutrality policies, which discourages university leaders from taking official positions on political issues in an effort to avoid chilling debate among students and faculty.
    — Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 1 July 2026
Definition of chilling
Adjective
  • Described as a biting political thriller in the tradition of Wild in the Streets and V for Vendetta, The Hunted is set in a dystopian America where trans people are brutalized and erased to the margins of society.
    — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 20 June 2026
  • So Google isn’t trying to release more biting mosquitoes into neighborhoods.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 12 June 2026
Definition of biting
Adjective
  • Then the favourites/best team in the tournament, the rampant French, are in action in their last-16 game against Paraguay.
    — Nick Miller, New York Times, 4 July 2026
  • When sports betting was made legal in 2018, rampant advertising and sponsorship coupled with an unregulated market resulted in a turmoil that prompted the government to usher in new regulations in 2023.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 July 2026
Definition of rampant
Adjective
  • The North America Nebula is too faint to see with the naked eye.
    — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 2 July 2026
  • Eadweard Muybridge, among the first to put pictures in motion, knew by instinct that many of those pictures should contain naked people.
    — Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026
Definition of naked

Phrases Containing raw

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ravishments
raw
rawboned
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Cite this Entry

“Raw.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/raw. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on raw

Nglish: Translation of raw for Spanish Speakers

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