Definitions

rough

[ruhf] / rʌf /

ADJECTIVE

uneven, irregular

Synonyms

STRONGEST

bumpy choppy coarse fuzzy harsh rocky rugged

STRONG

bearded broken chapped disheveled jagged ridged ruffled sharp tangled tousled wrinkled

WEAK

asperous brambly bristly bushy cragged craggy cross-grained hairy knobby knotty nodular not smooth scabrous scraggy shaggy stony tufted unequal unfinished unlevel unshaven unshorn woolly wrinkly

Antonyms

STRONGEST

calm courteous easy flat gentle mild nice polite refined smooth soft sophisticated

STRONG

neat ordered unwrinkled

WEAK

accurate complete definite even level moderate polished precise regular temperate

ADJECTIVE

stormy; not quiet

Synonyms

STRONGEST

choppy coarse dry harsh rugged turbulent

STRONG

agitated blustering buffeting grating husky jarring raging rasping wild

WEAK

blustery boisterous cacophonous discordant furious gruff hoarse inclement inharmonious raucous squally stridulent tempestuous tumultuous unmusical

Antonyms

STRONGEST

calm courteous easy gentle mild moderate nice polite refined smooth soft sophisticated

WEAK

accurate complete definite even level polished precise regular temperate

ADJECTIVE

rude, impolite

Synonyms

STRONGEST

coarse cruel hard harsh nasty raw tough unpleasant unpolished violent

STRONG

bluff blunt brief crude extreme gross mean rowdy sharp short

WEAK

bearish boisterous boorish brusque churlish crass crusty curt discourteous drastic hairy ill-mannered improper inconsiderate indecorous indelicate inelegant loud loutish severe unceremonious uncivil uncouth uncultivated uncultured unfeeling ungracious unjust unmannerly unrefined untutored vulgar

Antonyms

STRONGEST

agreeable clean delicate easy facile gentle good great kind merciful mild moral nice peaceful pleasant pleasing polite refined smooth soft sophisticated sympathetic wonderful

STRONG

calm lengthy long moderate

WEAK

accurate complete courteous definite even level polished precise regular temperate

ADJECTIVE

basic, incomplete

Synonyms

STRONGEST

hard raw sketchy unpolished

STRONG

crude imperfect spartan uncut undressed

WEAK

austere cursory formless rough-and-ready roughhewn rudimentary shapeless uncompleted unfashioned unfinished unformed unhewn unprocessed unrefined unwrought

Antonyms

STRONGEST

pleasant sophisticated

WEAK

accurate calm complete courteous definite even level mild moderate nice polished polite precise refined regular smooth temperate

ADJECTIVE

approximate

Synonyms

STRONGEST

foggy hazy sketchy uncertain

STRONG

estimated general

WEAK

amorphous imprecise inexact proximate rude unprecise vague

Antonyms

STRONGEST

certain clear definite sure

WEAK

accurate calm complete courteous even level mild moderate nice polished polite precise refined regular smooth sophisticated temperate

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.

I’ll say it again: These are rough times.

From Salon • May 25, 2026

The trends are especially rough for companies that trade at a high premium to their revenue, suggesting big expectations for growth.

From Barron's • May 22, 2026

Would I want to run an agency that’s currently in rough shape, that will certainly be blamed for enormous disasters to come if it can’t fulfill its responsibility?

From Slate • May 21, 2026

The dynamism of the singing and dancing smooths out some of the adaptation’s rough edges.

From Los Angeles Times • May 20, 2026

Tall Tailless’s howl was rough and not very tuneful, but full of feeling.

From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver

rough

Example Sentences

Related Words