in the rough

ADJECTIVE

crude

Synonyms

STRONGEST

amateurish coarse harsh homemade makeshift primitive raw rude rudimentary simple unprocessed

STRONG

green homespun outline prentice rough rustic thick

WEAK

callow immature impure inexpert rough-hewn sketchy undeveloped unfinished unformed ungraded unmatured unmilled unpolished unprepared unproficient unsorted untaught untrained unworked unwrought

Antonyms

STRONGEST

refined smooth sophisticated

STRONG

polished

WEAK

stilted

ADJECTIVE

unfinished

Synonyms

STRONGEST

bare incomplete unadorned undeveloped unfulfilled

WEAK

amateurish crude cut short dabbling defective deficient dilettante faulty formless found wanting fragmentary half-baked half-done immature imperfect in the making lacking natural not done plain raw rough roughhewn shapeless sketchy tentative unaccomplished unassembled uncompleted unconcluded under construction undone unexecuted unfashioned unperfected unpolished unrefined wanting

Antonyms

WEAK

completed finished polished refined whole

ADJECTIVE

unprocessed

Synonyms

STRONGEST

raw

STRONG

unrefined

WEAK

amateurish callow coarse green harsh homemade homespun immature impure inexpert makeshift native outline prentice primitive rough rough-hewn rude rudimentary rustic simple sketchy thick undeveloped unfinished unformed ungraded unmatured unmilled unpolished unprepared unproficient unsorted untaught untrained unworked unwrought

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But all eyes will be on Malinin, a skater with such unbridled athleticism and talent that the experts say he is still a diamond in the rough.

From Barron's • Feb. 12, 2026

"My only hope is if he doesn't set his alarm or he somehow starts hitting in the rough on the back nine maybe," Dahmen told PGA Golf.

From BBC • Feb. 1, 2026

Certain items may be overvalued, while others may be the proverbial diamonds in the rough.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 26, 2025

“Everyone would want the diamond in the rough, which is really the studios business ... and HBO.”

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 20, 2025

Most of my siblings regard me as being spoiled and a troublemaker, but Pa says I am really a diamond in the rough.

From "First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers" by Loung Ung

in the rough

Example Sentences

Related Words