1
as in uneven
not having a level or smooth surface
a rough board can give you splinters
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in violent
marked by bursts of destructive force or intense activity
rough waters that made sailing our sloop a little risky
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in turbulent
marked by wet and windy conditions
at least wear a raincoat if you're going out into that rough weather
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort
a forensics expert who willingly takes on rough assignments
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in tough
difficult to endure
I've had a rough time of it since I lost my job
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in clumsy
hastily or roughly constructed
made a rough camp as darkness fell over the forest
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in vulgar
lacking in refinement or good taste
he learned polite words to replace the rough language he had known growing up
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
9
as in shaggy
covered with or as if with hair
a face rough with a couple days' worth of beard
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in rowdy
Related Words
as in to chop
Related Words
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 rough
Tom Bogert,
New York Times,
2 July 2026
The Atlanta Dream have hit their first real rough patch of the season, losing three consecutive games on a tough Western Conference road trip.
—
Christopher Harris,
CBS News,
1 July 2026
ABC News,
11 May 2026
In the transfer portal and NIL era, many players who might’ve been diamonds in the smaller-school-rough have already been discovered.
—
Joseph Hoyt,
Dallas Morning News,
20 Mar. 2026
ABC News,
1 May 2026
This gorgeous camp on the edge of the Tibetan Plateau brings you back to nomad-style basics, without roughing it.
—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rough
Adjective
And there was no doubt that Balogun made rough contact on the defender.
—
Tom Bogert,
New York Times,
2 July 2026
The Atlanta Dream have hit their first real rough patch of the season, losing three consecutive games on a tough Western Conference road trip.
—
Christopher Harris,
CBS News,
1 July 2026
Noun
The first official day of practice for the PGA Championship brought a reminder that accuracy this week is more about shots into the green than avoiding bunkers or the healthy rough.
—
ABC News,
11 May 2026
In the transfer portal and NIL era, many players who might’ve been diamonds in the smaller-school-rough have already been discovered.
—
Joseph Hoyt,
Dallas Morning News,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
Her selection enraged Iran’s hard-line Shiite theocracy, which increased her prison time and later sent guards to rough her up along with other prisoners who were protesting inside Evin Prison.
—
ABC News,
1 May 2026
This gorgeous camp on the edge of the Tibetan Plateau brings you back to nomad-style basics, without roughing it.
—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rough
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rough
Adjective
-
Household financial resilience also remains uneven, even when many adults report doing okay or living comfortably.
-
The uneven workmanship of the double stitching suggests the giant flag was likely made by amateurs, curators with the historical society have determined.
Adjective
-
Dinah Voyles Pulver, a national correspondent for USA TODAY, writes about violent weather, climate change and other news.
-
English soccer fans have earned a reputation for violent hooliganism, hurling plastic chairs and brawling their way across the piazzas and boulevards of Europe.
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.
-
His confirmation closes one of the most turbulent presidential searches in UF history.
Adjective
-
Sarah Buck, Chicago Driving has become harder The rapid increase in bike lanes has made driving much more difficult and tedious, with numerous delays due to many streets being reduced to one lane in busy areas.
-
Republican strategists have welcomed those nominations as an opening for attack in a difficult election year.
Adjective
-
MacDonald agrees that some of Kiros' positions could put Democratic candidates in a tough spot.
-
The 34 measures include cuts to income tax for low- and middle income families, an overhaul of the creaking pension system, tougher rules for employees' sick leave and a reduction of the country's stifling bureaucracy.
Adjective
-
Abraham Lincoln furiously scribbled in Springfield on June 27, 1858, firing off a gruff note to the editor-in-chief of the Chicago Press & Tribune, then in business for only 11 years.
-
But Rose bet that a less gruff voice, ultimately Mike Brown’s, was required to win it all.
Adjective
-
Such a feature would neatly get around the need for clumsy remote control sessions to interact with AI agents running on a distant Mac.
-
The head coach was clumsy in his response, saying — in effect — that the player is better suited to being an impact substitute and taking advantage of tiring opposition defenders.
Adjective
-
Sean Goode, a former Canton police sergeant who was working the night of John O'Keefe's death and testified during the first Karen Read trial, allegedly sent dozens of vulgar text messages, according to an independent investigation.
-
Others were removed early on for vulgar or inappropriate comments, according to a PGA Tour source with knowledge of the events, with five spectators in total ejected from the tournament with six holes to go.
Cite this Entry
“Rough.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rough. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
