crude

adjective

ˈkrüd How to pronounce crude (audio)
Definition of crudenext
1
as in raw
being such as found in nature and not altered by processing or refining a sizable spill of crude oil along a coastline is the worst kind of environmental disaster

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in primitive
belonging to or characteristic of an early level of skill or development the crude stone tools that those prehistoric peoples used

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in vulgar
depicting or referring to sexual matters in a way that is unacceptable in polite society crude jokes can be considered sexual harassment

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in crass
lacking in refinement or good taste any discussion of one's money is considered crude by the club's blue-blooded members

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in clumsy
hastily or roughly constructed a crude hut that was constructed by some shipwrecked sailors

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective crude differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of crude are raw, rough, and rude. While all these words mean "lacking in social refinement," crude may apply to thought or behavior limited to the gross, the obvious, or the primitive.

a crude joke

When could raw be used to replace crude?

In some situations, the words raw and crude are roughly equivalent. However, raw suggests being untested, inexperienced, or unfinished.

turning raw youths into polished performers

When would rough be a good substitute for crude?

The words rough and crude can be used in similar contexts, but rough is likely to stress lack of polish and gentleness.

rough manners

When might rude be a better fit than crude?

The synonyms rude and crude are sometimes interchangeable, but rude implies ignorance of or indifference to good form; it may suggest intentional discourtesy.

rude behavior

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for crude
  1. raw
  2. primitive
  3. vulgar
  4. crass
  5. clumsy
  6. natural
  7. rudimentary
  8. obscene
Adjective
  • Fifth-round selection Jaden Dugger is still a raw product coming out of Louisiana, but the 6-foot-4, 240-pound linebacker is getting opportunities in practice to try his hand at a variety of spots.
    — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 23 Aug. 2026
  • The most startling weapon in Brennan’s arsenal is his raw power.
    — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of raw
Adjective
  • The Düsseldorf group’s version of LUCA would have possessed many of the ingredients needed by living systems, including a primitive form of genetic encoding, as well as metabolic chemical reactions required to harness energy.
    — Philip Ball, Scientific American, 20 Aug. 2026
  • If Russia behaved badly, that was the fault of its primitive and cruel Asian side, a notion that conveniently created the fiction that Western countries are not capable of similar cruelty.
    — Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of primitive
Adjective
  • But the school’s dress code prohibits messages that are lewd, indecent, vulgar or profane.
    — Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Lonnie is loud, obnoxious, and vulgar in ways that rankle traditional golfers.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 16 July 2026
Definition of vulgar
Adjective
  • To put it in its crassest terms, the story needs to come before the reporter.
    — K.J. Yossman, Variety, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Cruise plays Digger Rockwell, a crass and charismatic oil executive who’s called upon to help save the world after his company nearly destroys it.
    — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 13 July 2026
Definition of crass
Adjective
  • Vocals are surprisingly good, despite the show being a bit awkward and clumsy at times.
    — Talia McWright, Twin Cities, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Sneak away into the beyond—maybe this was a clumsy translation.
    — Emma Cline, New Yorker, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of clumsy
Adjective
  • Kassebaum Baker died Friday of natural causes, according to her son, Bill Kassebaum.
    — John Hanna, Fortune, 23 Aug. 2026
  • The guidance comes after residents cited noise, effects on wildlife and a desire to preserve natural areas used for recreation, hunting and fishing, according to a press release from the government of Greenland, Naalakkersuisut.
    — Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of natural
Adjective
  • The panels were expensive and rudimentary by today’s standards.
    — Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Measuring token use provides a rudimentary way to assess AI adoption, but connecting consumption to value can be more challenging.
    — Tim Keary, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of rudimentary
Adjective
  • The Tarrant County decorum policy prohibits personal attacks, impertinent, profane, obscene, or slanderous remarks as well as threatening, disruptive or unruly behavior.
    — Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Starks said the obscene gesture was meant as a joke to teammates.
    — Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of obscene
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.

Browse Nearby Words

cruddy
crude
crudely
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Cite this Entry

“Crude.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crude. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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