ROUGH Synonyms: 695 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'rough' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of rough are harsh , rugged , scabrous , and uneven . While all these words mean "not smooth or even," rough implies points, bristles, ridges, or projections on the surface. // a rough wooden board

Q: In what contexts can 'harsh' take the place of 'rough'?

While in some cases nearly identical to rough , harsh implies a surface or texture distinctly unpleasant to the touch. // a harsh fabric that chafes the skin

Q: When is 'rugged' a more appropriate choice than 'rough'?

In some situations, the words rugged and rough are roughly equivalent. However, rugged implies irregularity or roughness of land surface and connotes difficulty of travel. // a rugged landscape

Q: Where would 'scabrous' be a reasonable alternative to 'rough'?

Although the words scabrous and rough have much in common, scabrous implies scaliness or prickliness of surface. // a scabrous leaf

Q: When might 'uneven' be a better fit than 'rough'?

The meanings of uneven and rough largely overlap; however, uneven implies a lack of uniformity in height, breadth, or quality. // an old house with uneven floors

rough 1 of 3

adjective

ˈrəf

Definition of rough

as in uneven

not having a level or smooth surface a rough board can give you splinters

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as in violent

marked by bursts of destructive force or intense activity rough waters that made sailing our sloop a little risky

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as in turbulent

marked by wet and windy conditions at least wear a raincoat if you're going out into that rough weather

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as in difficult

requiring considerable physical or mental effort a forensics expert who willingly takes on rough assignments

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as in tough

difficult to endure I've had a rough time of it since I lost my job

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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

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as in clumsy

hastily or roughly constructed made a rough camp as darkness fell over the forest

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as in vulgar

lacking in refinement or good taste he learned polite words to replace the rough language he had known growing up

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as in shaggy

covered with or as if with hair a face rough with a couple days' worth of beard

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as in hairy

made of or resembling hair a rough-coated dog who was always shedding his fur

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as in bumpy

marked by a series of sharp quick motions a rough flight that left some passengers nauseated

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

rough

2 of 3

noun

as in rowdy

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rough

3 of 3

verb

as in to chop

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective rough contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of rough are harsh, rugged, scabrous, and uneven. While all these words mean "not smooth or even," rough implies points, bristles, ridges, or projections on the surface.

a rough wooden board

In what contexts can harsh take the place of rough?

While in some cases nearly identical to rough, harsh implies a surface or texture distinctly unpleasant to the touch.

a harsh fabric that chafes the skin

When is rugged a more appropriate choice than rough?

In some situations, the words rugged and rough are roughly equivalent. However, rugged implies irregularity or roughness of land surface and connotes difficulty of travel.

a rugged landscape

Where would scabrous be a reasonable alternative to rough?

Although the words scabrous and rough have much in common, scabrous implies scaliness or prickliness of surface.

a scabrous leaf

When might uneven be a better fit than rough?

The meanings of uneven and rough largely overlap; however, uneven implies a lack of uniformity in height, breadth, or quality.

an old house with uneven floors

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

Adjective

But the proceedings add to a recent rough stretch for Illinois Democrats, who hold supermajorities in both chambers of the General Assembly but have been unsettled in recent weeks. — Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2026 But the recent spin-out from Honeywell Technologies got off to a rough start as a separate company. — Jeff Marks, CNBC, 6 Aug. 2026

Noun

Kim hit her second shot into the left rough on the par-14 13th, and wound up sliding a 10-foot putt to the right for bogey. — Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 8 June 2026 Cole getting a huge break after his ball somehow bounced through the left rough before settling on the edge of the short grass. — CBS News, 31 May 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

Mynatt says that tamping too lightly, unevenly, or inconsistently leads to uneven water flow (called channeling).

— Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Aug. 2026
That was to avoid both leagues having 15 apiece and with uneven teams every day on the schedule having one team idle.

— Chuck Murr, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of uneven

Adjective

Michael was arrested two days later, per Denver TV station KUSA, and charged with first-degree murder, use of a weapon in a violent crime, theft of $100 to $500, and abuse of a corpse.

— Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 1 Aug. 2026
Crime reached a breaking point that summer after a drive-by shooting killed a man at Progress Park, topping off a string of violent incidents in the neighborhood just northeast of uptown Charlotte.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of violent

Adjective

Investment firms of ultrawealthy families showed no signs of slowing down in July despite a turbulent month for markets between a sharp correction and soaring energy prices.

— Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 6 Aug. 2026
Images of the sun’s surface that were published in a new study show turbulent, vortex-like structures in unprecedented detail.

— Miriam Waldvogel, Washington Post, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of turbulent

Adjective

For a long time, we’ve all been told that remastering the older Super Robot Wars games was extremely difficult, due to all the licensing and other costs involved.

— Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
After three difficult years, armed groups loyal to Tehran appear to be bouncing back across the Middle East, reinforcing Iran’s leverage in its war with the US and Israel.

— Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of difficult

Adjective

That left the debtor having to prove the negative that the debtor really didn't have any way to re-establish control over trust assets, and such was (and still is) a very tough sell.

— Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Lombard also helped turn a double play in the second inning and handled another tough one-hopper hit by Cesar Prieto in the seventh.

— Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of tough

Adjective

Matt Damon plays Odysseus as a gruff, practical tactician, rather than an energetically inventive and morally dubious schemer.

— Caroline Mimbs Nyce, New Yorker, 17 July 2026
The New Zealander drew international acclaim for roles as gruff loners and unhinged villains.

— Harrison Smith, Washington Post, 13 July 2026

Definition of gruff

Adjective

This not only flipped the pages but also translated the Japanese onomatopoeic sounds into somewhat clumsy English equivalents.

— Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
The other, in quite clumsy English, requested a very careful renovation of Ingmar Bergman’s house on the island of Fårö, in Sweden.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 July 2026

Definition of clumsy

Adjective

Lonnie is loud, obnoxious, and vulgar in ways that rankle traditional golfers.

— Ben Travers, IndieWire, 16 July 2026
Suki, a vocal Black woman with an at times vulgar persona, whereas Althoff, a white woman, gained a reputation as an awkward, seemingly timid interviewer on her The Really Good Podcast.

— Meagan Jordan, VIBE.com, 10 July 2026

Definition of vulgar

Cite this Entry

Style

“Rough.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rough. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of rough

adjective

noun

verb

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Phrases Containing rough

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Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on rough

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

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Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

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Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Popular in Wordplay

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The Words of the Week - Aug. 7

How long is a jiffy?

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

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Games & Quizzes