rough-and-tumble

[ruhf-uhn-tuhm-buhl] / ˈrʌf ənˈtʌm bəl /

ADJECTIVE

rough; disorderly

Synonyms

STRONGEST

disorderly rough rugged strenuous tempestuous turbulent

STRONG

buffeting dry grating husky knockabout rasping tough wild

WEAK

agitated blustering blustery boisterous cacophonous choppy coarse discordant furious gruff harsh hoarse inclement inharmonious jarring raging raucous squally stridulent tumultuous unmusical

Antonyms

STRONGEST

calm easy facile gentle mild moderate

STRONG

controllable delicate

NOUN

rough, unrestrained fighting

Synonyms

STRONGEST

fighting infighting rumble struggle

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.

If EVs are coming for the world, this is the rough-and-tumble frontier.

From Barron's • Jun. 8, 2026

Davey Lopes rose from a rough-and-tumble Rhode Island upbringing to become the Dodgers’ leadoff batter and second baseman as part of a historic infield from 1973-1981.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2026

The daughter of a Marine father and a trauma nurse mother, Murphy grew up outside of Chicago as a rough-and-tumble kid.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 16, 2026

Bottle kicking is not the only peculiar rough-and-tumble English tradition that comes with a risk of injury.

From BBC • Apr. 26, 2025

They don’t surrender anything—not their friendships, video games, the rough-and-tumble sports some of them play, or even their macho posturing.

From "Drama High" by Michael Sokolove

rough-and-tumble

Example Sentences

Related Words