rough
1 of 4adjective
ˈrəf 
rougher; roughest
1
a
: marked by inequalities, ridges, or projections on the surface : coarse
b
: covered with or made up of coarse and often shaggy hair
rough-coated collie
compare smooth, wirehaired c(1)
: having a broken, uneven, or bumpy surface
rough terrain
(2)
: difficult to travel through or penetrate : wild
into the rough woods—
P. B. Shelley
P. B. Shelley2
a
: turbulent, tempestuous
rough seas
b(1)
: characterized by harshness, violence, or force
(2)
: presenting a challenge : difficult
rough to deal with—R. M. McAlmon
R. M. McAlmon3
: coarse or rugged in character or appearance: such as
a
: harsh to the ear
b
: crude in style or expression
c
: indelicate
d
: marked by a lack of refinement or grace : uncouth
4
a
: crude, unfinished
rough carpentry
b
: executed or ventured hastily, tentatively, or imperfectly
a rough draft
rough estimate
also : approximate
a rough idea
roughish
ˈrə-fish
adjective roughness
ˈrəf-nəs
noun rough
2 of 4adverb
1
: roughly sense 1
2
British : without usual conveniences
especially : without proper shelter
become homeless and have to sleep rough —London Times
London Times rough
3 of 4noun
1
: uneven ground covered with high grass, brush, and stones
specifically : such ground bordering a golf fairway
2
: the rugged or disagreeable side or aspect
hiking-camping admirers of nature in the rough—Eleanor Stirling
Eleanor Stirling3
a
: something in a crude, unfinished, or preliminary state
b
: broad outline : general terms
the question … has been discussed in rough—Manchester Guardian Weekly
Manchester Guardian Weekly c
: a hasty preliminary drawing or layout
4
: rowdy
rough
4 of 4verb
roughed; roughing; roughs
transitive verb
1
: roughen
2
a
: to subject to abuse : manhandle, beat —usually used with up
b
: to subject to unnecessary and intentional violence in a sport
a penalty for roughing the passer
c
: shell sense 3 —used with up
was roughed up for six runs
3
: to calk or otherwise roughen (a horse's shoes) to prevent slipping
4
a
: to shape, make, or dress in a rough or preliminary way
b
: to indicate the chief lines of
rough out the structure of a building
rougher noun
Synonyms
Adjective
- bristly
- brushy
- cottony
- fleecy
- furred
- furry
- hairy
- hirsute
- shaggy
- silky
- unshorn
- woolly
- wooly
Verb
- bash
- baste
- bat
- batter
- beat
- belabor
- belt
- birch
- bludgeon
- buffet
- bung up
- club
- curry
- do
- drub
- fib [British]
- flog
- hammer
- hide
- lace
- lambaste
- lambast
- lash
- lather
- lick
- maul
- mess (up)
- paddle
- pelt
- pommel
- pound
- pummel
- punch out
- slate
- slog
- switch
- tan
- thrash
- thresh
- thump
- tromp
- wallop
- whale
- whip
- whop
- whap
- whup
- work over
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Adjective He trimmed the rough edge of the paper. We traveled over rough dirt roads. They hiked through rough terrain. We were a bit shaken from the plane's rough landing. He went through a rough patch after his divorce. They've hit a few rough spots in their marriage. Despite a rough start, the team won more games this season than last. Adverb The engine is running a little rough. Life has been treating her pretty rough. He plays rough with the dog. people living rough on the streets Noun He hit his drive into the rough. He showed me a few roughs of the new building. Verb He was called for roughing the kicker. See More
Recent Examples on the WebG. Daniela Galarza, Washington Post, 16 Feb. 2023 Senators pointed to a rough estimate that the change could cut local-government revenues statewide by about $150 million a year, but a detailed projection has not been issued. —Jim Turner, Orlando Sentinel, 15 Feb. 2023 Immigrants traveling from the United Kingdom to New York at the turn of the century have more than rough seas to worry about. —Hannah Kerns, Peoplemag, 14 Feb. 2023 Houston caught a break from rough winter weather this week after a long spell of cold temperatures the week before coincided with a giant ice storm that battered large swaths of the Lone Star State. —Michael Murney, Chron, 10 Feb. 2023 Other carts drift away from parking lots if they aren’t locked up during rough weather or at night. —Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN, 21 Jan. 2023 But Montecito and surrounding towns in Santa Barbara County are not the only places in California being pummeled by rough weather. —CBS News, 10 Jan. 2023 There's nothing like coming home after a rough day and hopping into a hot shower. —Alec Scherma, Good Housekeeping, 10 Jan. 2023 Sharrieff Shah, the Utes cornerbacks coach and special teams coordinator, had a particularly rough day as Penn State came away with a convincing 35-21 victory. —Julianne Mcshane, NBC News, 6 Jan. 2023 Nathaniel Scharping, Discover Magazine, 23 Mar. 2016 Centineo plays Owen with a similar off-kilter, rough-around-the-edges appeal. —Nojan Aminosharei, Men's Health, 21 Dec. 2022 Corabi had the album’s rough-hewn artwork patterned after the essential Aerosmith concert album. —Matt Wake | Mwake@al.com, al, 5 Oct. 2022 The top is asymmetric and rough-edged, not to mention rent down the center. —Maile Pingel, WSJ, 28 Sep. 2022 Takkenberg, who retains the rough-around-the-edges demeanor of an ex-cop, joked that van Ruitenbeek would probably excel despite never having played. —Renee Dudley, ProPublica, 7 Sep. 2022 Just as Hoss brings her skills as a violinist to the part, young cellist Sophie Kauer adds authenticity in her impressive first acting role as the rough-edged but preternaturally poised Olga. —David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Sep. 2022 Simply twist the rough-dry tool attachment to activate the flyaway mode to smooth hair for a sleek finish. —Katie Intner, Harper's BAZAAR, 21 June 2022 The interior is rich and inviting, sporting natural materials such as wood and rough-cut stone. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 21 July 2022 Danyel Smith, New York Times, 8 Feb. 2023 The resulting finished stones range in size from 25.06 to 79.35 carats; in total, 67 diamonds came from the original rough. —Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 21 Aug. 2022 Smith went from the right rough on the opening hole to a back bunker and missed a 12-foot par putt. —Dallas News, 7 Jan. 2022 Then, on the Las Colinas Course 14th hole, TFA’s No. 1 player, Mi Li, plugged her tee shot in the rough of the tough par 4. —Steve Gorches, Orlando Sentinel, 12 Nov. 2022 Part of the cache cut from the Lesotho Legend, a 910-carat rough, the trio of stones is free of inclusions and exhibits remarkable brilliance. —Tanya Dukes, ELLE Decor, 26 Sep. 2022 Marx’s drive landed beneath a tree in the right rough. —San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 July 2022 Champ managed to chip out onto the primary rough, then scoot up the fairway. —BostonGlobe.com, 26 July 2021 Champ managed to chip out onto the primary rough, then scoot up the fairway. —BostonGlobe.com, 26 July 2021 Dallas News, 30 Nov. 2022 Has the fraternity gotten so chummy that one team or one player can’t rough up the feelings of another player, another team? —Gordon Monson, The Salt Lake Tribune, 11 Dec. 2022 To start, Pinto recommends using a nail buffer to rough up the surface of the polish until the shine is completely gone. —Sydney Wingfield, Glamour, 9 Dec. 2022 Instead, Lukashenko’s thuggish enforcers at GUBOPiK have a green light to rough up activists and target their families. —Robyn Dixon, Washington Post, 13 Aug. 2022 Again, having been shut out of spring practice, this is our first chance to rough out some answers to those questions. —Zach Osterman, The Indianapolis Star, 1 Aug. 2022 Hydro Flask Outdoor Kitchen Collection $20 – $75 THE PROMISE: Kitchenware that’s ready to rough it, but sleek enough for fancy backyard cookouts. —Outside Online, 14 Aug. 2020 Last season, when the going to rough against the Bucks in the playoffs, the Heat wilted. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 27 Apr. 2022 Glamping is for those who don’t want to rough it too much but do want a close-to-camping-outdoors experience. —Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 2 June 2022 See More
Adjective
The peel scents the chicken, and the tart, fruity juices of the citrus mingle with the fat from the bird to produce a rough vinaigrette. —G. Daniela Galarza, Washington Post, 16 Feb. 2023 Senators pointed to a rough estimate that the change could cut local-government revenues statewide by about $150 million a year, but a detailed projection has not been issued. —Jim Turner, Orlando Sentinel, 15 Feb. 2023 Immigrants traveling from the United Kingdom to New York at the turn of the century have more than rough seas to worry about. —Hannah Kerns, Peoplemag, 14 Feb. 2023 Houston caught a break from rough winter weather this week after a long spell of cold temperatures the week before coincided with a giant ice storm that battered large swaths of the Lone Star State. —Michael Murney, Chron, 10 Feb. 2023 Other carts drift away from parking lots if they aren’t locked up during rough weather or at night. —Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN, 21 Jan. 2023 But Montecito and surrounding towns in Santa Barbara County are not the only places in California being pummeled by rough weather. —CBS News, 10 Jan. 2023 There's nothing like coming home after a rough day and hopping into a hot shower. —Alec Scherma, Good Housekeeping, 10 Jan. 2023 Sharrieff Shah, the Utes cornerbacks coach and special teams coordinator, had a particularly rough day as Penn State came away with a convincing 35-21 victory. —Julianne Mcshane, NBC News, 6 Jan. 2023 Adverb
In another demonstration of the variability of perception, the authors showed that when placed next to an elderly woman or a child, pit bulls were labeled more positively, while showing them next to a rough-looking male hurt their credibility. —Nathaniel Scharping, Discover Magazine, 23 Mar. 2016 Centineo plays Owen with a similar off-kilter, rough-around-the-edges appeal. —Nojan Aminosharei, Men's Health, 21 Dec. 2022 Corabi had the album’s rough-hewn artwork patterned after the essential Aerosmith concert album. —Matt Wake | Mwake@al.com, al, 5 Oct. 2022 The top is asymmetric and rough-edged, not to mention rent down the center. —Maile Pingel, WSJ, 28 Sep. 2022 Takkenberg, who retains the rough-around-the-edges demeanor of an ex-cop, joked that van Ruitenbeek would probably excel despite never having played. —Renee Dudley, ProPublica, 7 Sep. 2022 Just as Hoss brings her skills as a violinist to the part, young cellist Sophie Kauer adds authenticity in her impressive first acting role as the rough-edged but preternaturally poised Olga. —David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Sep. 2022 Simply twist the rough-dry tool attachment to activate the flyaway mode to smooth hair for a sleek finish. —Katie Intner, Harper's BAZAAR, 21 June 2022 The interior is rich and inviting, sporting natural materials such as wood and rough-cut stone. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 21 July 2022 Noun
The woman artist, so often brought in as much as trinket as talent, has been right there, a diamond in the sexist musical rough all along. —Danyel Smith, New York Times, 8 Feb. 2023 The resulting finished stones range in size from 25.06 to 79.35 carats; in total, 67 diamonds came from the original rough. —Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 21 Aug. 2022 Smith went from the right rough on the opening hole to a back bunker and missed a 12-foot par putt. —Dallas News, 7 Jan. 2022 Then, on the Las Colinas Course 14th hole, TFA’s No. 1 player, Mi Li, plugged her tee shot in the rough of the tough par 4. —Steve Gorches, Orlando Sentinel, 12 Nov. 2022 Part of the cache cut from the Lesotho Legend, a 910-carat rough, the trio of stones is free of inclusions and exhibits remarkable brilliance. —Tanya Dukes, ELLE Decor, 26 Sep. 2022 Marx’s drive landed beneath a tree in the right rough. —San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 July 2022 Champ managed to chip out onto the primary rough, then scoot up the fairway. —BostonGlobe.com, 26 July 2021 Champ managed to chip out onto the primary rough, then scoot up the fairway. —BostonGlobe.com, 26 July 2021 Verb
For: Eco-conscious men looking for a thorough clean that won’t rough their skin up. —Dallas News, 30 Nov. 2022 Has the fraternity gotten so chummy that one team or one player can’t rough up the feelings of another player, another team? —Gordon Monson, The Salt Lake Tribune, 11 Dec. 2022 To start, Pinto recommends using a nail buffer to rough up the surface of the polish until the shine is completely gone. —Sydney Wingfield, Glamour, 9 Dec. 2022 Instead, Lukashenko’s thuggish enforcers at GUBOPiK have a green light to rough up activists and target their families. —Robyn Dixon, Washington Post, 13 Aug. 2022 Again, having been shut out of spring practice, this is our first chance to rough out some answers to those questions. —Zach Osterman, The Indianapolis Star, 1 Aug. 2022 Hydro Flask Outdoor Kitchen Collection $20 – $75 THE PROMISE: Kitchenware that’s ready to rough it, but sleek enough for fancy backyard cookouts. —Outside Online, 14 Aug. 2020 Last season, when the going to rough against the Bucks in the playoffs, the Heat wilted. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 27 Apr. 2022 Glamping is for those who don’t want to rough it too much but do want a close-to-camping-outdoors experience. —Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 2 June 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Adjective
Middle English, from Old English rūh; akin to Old High German rūh rough, Lithuanian raukas wrinkle
First Known Use
Adjective
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Adverb
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Noun
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
1728, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing rough
Kids Definition
rough
1 of 4 adjective ˈrəf
1
a
: having an uneven surface : not smooth
b
: covered with or made up of coarse and often shaggy hair or bristles
a rough-coated terrier
2
a
: not calm
rough seas
b
: being harsh or violent
rough treatment
c
: difficult to take or deal with
we've had some rough times
3
a
: harsh to the ear
b
: coarse or rugged in nature or look
4
: not complete or exact
a rough draft
rough estimate
also : approximate entry 1
this will give you a rough idea of the house
roughish
ˈrəf-ish
adjective roughly adverb
roughness noun
rough
2 of 4 noun1
: uneven ground covered with high grass, brush, and stones
2
: the rugged or unpleasant part of something
nature in the rough
3
: something in a crude or unfinished state
also : such a state
a diamond in the rough
rough
3 of 4 adverb : in a rough way : not smoothly
the engine idled rough, but ran smoothly at high speed
rough
4 of 4 verb1
: roughen
2
: to handle roughly : beat
roughed up by hoodlums
3
: to shape or make in a rough way
rough out a plan
Medical Definition
rough
adjective ˈrəf
: having a broken, uneven, or bumpy surface
specifically : forming or being rough colonies usually made up of organisms that form chains or filaments and tend to marked decrease in capsule formation and virulence —used of dissociated strains of bacteria compare smooth
rough 1 of 3
adjective
1
as in shaggy
covered with or as if with hair a face rough with a couple days' worth of beard Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- shaggy
- hairy
- silky
- brushy
- hirsute
- bristly
- woolly
- fluffy
- furred
- wooly
- furry
- unshorn
- fleecy
- fuzzy
- cottony
- stubbly
- bearded
- stubbled
- whiskered
- downy
- mustachioed
- bewhiskered
- nappy
- moustachioed
- linty
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- smooth
- bald
- hairless
- glabrous
- shorn
- shaved
- shaven
- furless
- beardless
2
as in violent
marked by bursts of destructive force or intense activity rough waters that made sailing our sloop a little risky Synonyms & Similar Words
- violent
- turbulent
- ferocious
- fierce
- furious
- brutal
- vicious
- volcanic
- tumultuous
- explosive
- hot
- stormy
- rabid
- tempestuous
- aggressive
- savage
- convulsive
- cyclonic
- volatile
- knock-down-and-drag-out
- paroxysmal
- knock-down, drag-out
- contentious
- barbarous
- hostile
- hammer-and-tongs
- blood-and-guts
- frantic
- destructive
- mad
- bang-bang
- pugnacious
- belligerent
- antagonistic
- combative
- truculent
- bellicose
- assertive
- quarrelsome
- frenzied
- agitated
- ruinous
- gladiatorial
- combustible
- cataclysmic
- cataclysmal
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- peaceful
- calm
- peaceable
- serene
- tranquil
- nonviolent
- pacific
- halcyon
- unaggressive
- nonbelligerent
3
as in turbulent
marked by wet and windy conditions at least wear a raincoat if you're going out into that rough weather Synonyms & Similar Words
- turbulent
- bleak
- rainy
- snowy
- stormy
- dirty
- raw
- tempestuous
- nasty
- inclement
- foul
- squally
- windswept
- gusty
- windblown
- hazy
- breezy
- misty
- blustery
- murky
- overcast
- cloudy
- blowy
- blustering
- foggy
- soupy
- sunless
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- fair
- clear
- bright
- sunny
- pleasant
- cloudless
- calm
- peaceful
- serene
- sunshiny
- placid
- clement
- unclouded
- balmy
- rainless
- halcyon
4
as in uneven
not having a level or smooth surface a rough board can give you splinters Synonyms & Similar Words
- uneven
- jagged
- rugged
- broken
- bumpy
- ragged
- roughened
- irregular
- wavy
- coarse
- lumpy
- pebbly
- scraggy
- harsh
- rutted
- lopsided
- rutty
- unbalanced
- undulating
- inexact
- pitted
- pocked
- scratchy
- undulatory
- nubby
- knobby
- sandpapery
- scraggly
- burred
- unaligned
- nonuniform
- knurled
- nubbly
- knobbly
- knurly
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- smooth
- flat
- uniform
- even
- exact
- level
- regular
- true
- plane
- aligned
- vertical
- straight
- horizontal
- tabular
- alined
- flush
- plumb
5
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort a forensics expert who willingly takes on rough assignments Synonyms & Similar Words
- difficult
- tough
- challenging
- hard
- rigorous
- demanding
- rugged
- formidable
- complicated
- heavy
- testing
- arduous
- sweaty
- severe
- painful
- grueling
- strenuous
- tall
- effortful
- exhausting
- laborious
- uphill
- murderous
- backbreaking
- intricate
- stiff
- exacting
- complex
- toilsome
- gruelling
- herculean
- hellacious
- killer
- serious
- problematic
- brutal
- grim
- annoying
- tricky
- involved
- moiling
- bruising
- tight
- stressful
- elusive
- hairy
- stubborn
- pick-and-shovel
- abstract
- trying
- troublesome
- thorny
- oppressive
- knotty
- labored
- problematical
- spiny
- taxing
- opaque
- onerous
- abstruse
- irksome
- burdensome
- ticklish
- strict
- insoluble
- recondite
- cruel
- distressing
- Augean
- bothersome
- stringent
- vexatious
- inhuman
- grievous
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- soft
- easy
- simple
- light
- smooth
- cheap
- clear
- undemanding
- effortless
- gentle
- uncomplicated
- elementary
- mindless
- facile
- doable
- achievable
- soothing
- relaxed
- manageable
- comforting
- painless
- friendly
- accessible
- idiotproof
- user-friendly
6
as in tough
difficult to endure I've had a rough time of it since I lost my job Synonyms & Similar Words
- tough
- harsh
- brutal
- hard
- searing
- oppressive
- trying
- severe
- grim
- cruel
- rugged
- painful
- bleak
- heavy
- bitter
- excruciating
- onerous
- inhuman
- murderous
- burdensome
- stiff
- grievous
- uncomfortable
- unpleasant
- bad
- inhospitable
- hardhanded
- rigorous
- spartan
- unbearable
- strict
- wild
- comfortless
- austere
- grinding
- inclement
- stringent
- forbidding
- discomforting
- overwhelming
- agonizing
- tortuous
- crushing
- harrowing
- biting
- intemperate
- wretched
- heartbreaking
- disagreeable
- intolerable
- hostile
- wearing
- insufferable
- unendurable
- unfriendly
- heartrending
- insupportable
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- soft
- easy
- light
- pleasant
- comfortable
- luxurious
- agreeable
- friendly
- cozy
- peaceful
- mild
- gentle
- hospitable
- genial
- restful
- relaxing
- moderate
- tolerable
- calm
- snug
- bearable
- painless
- balmy
- temperate
- endurable
- reposeful
- clement
7
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 Synonyms & Similar Words
- gruff
- rugged
- grim
- intimidating
- stern
- fierce
- bleak
- severe
- ungentle
- hostile
- forbidding
- stark
- cold
- dark
- hardened
- flinty
- lowering
- austere
- dour
- stubborn
- somber
- steely
- inhospitable
- hard
- moody
- determined
- louring
- stiff
- black
- unfriendly
- rigid
- bound
- unsympathetic
- uncompromising
- solemn
- unflinching
- fixed
- serious
- purposeful
- unyielding
- steadfast
- unrelenting
- firm
- resolute
- adamant
- gloomy
- cheerless
- obstinate
- set
- inflexible
- unbending
- hardheaded
- implacable
- intent
- resolved
- inimical
- sullen
- surly
- obdurate
- sulky
- joyless
- melancholy
- willful
- mulish
- immovable
- morose
- sober
- unchangeable
- melancholic
- glum
- ironhanded
- brooding
- staid
- humorless
- grave
- immutable
- unsmiling
- wilful
- weighty
- sobersided
- sombre
- self-willed
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- mild
- gentle
- soft
- benign
- easy
- mellow
- tender
- quiet
- soothing
- bland
- sweet
- pleasant
- meek
- benignant
- tranquil
- agreeable
- nonintimidating
- bright
- cheerful
- happy
- pleasing
- merry
- sunny
- glad
- silly
- playful
- goofy
- lighthearted
- inviting
- mirthful
- frivolous
- giddy
- scatterbrained
- flighty
- harebrained
- featherbrained
- light-headed
8
as in clumsy
hastily or roughly constructed made a rough camp as darkness fell over the forest Synonyms & Similar Words
- clumsy
- crude
- rude
- imperfect
- flawed
- unfinished
- rudimentary
- primitive
- unrefined
- rough-and-tumble
- rough-and-ready
- defective
- artless
- rough-hewn
- unpolished
- imprecise
- amateur
- inexact
- jerry-built
- jerry-rigged
- faulty
- amateurish
- inartistic
- jury-rigged
- unprofessional
- unskilled
- unshaped
- undressed
- unskillful
- unworked
- inexpert
- unshapen
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- perfect
- polished
- refined
- flawless
- finished
- neat
- meticulous
- faultless
- skillful
- sophisticated
- perfected
- artistic
- workmanlike
- adept
- precise
- masterful
- expert
- exact
- dexterous
- masterly
- practised
- artful
- dextrous
- practiced
- adroit
- well-done
9
as in coarse
lacking in refinement or good taste he learned polite words to replace the rough language he had known growing up Synonyms & Similar Words
- coarse
- crass
- vulgar
- rude
- crude
- common
- rugged
- unpolished
- clumsy
- gross
- low
- uncouth
- unrefined
- roughneck
- raffish
- uncultivated
- rough-hewn
- uncultured
- lowbrow
- tasteless
- insensible
- rustic
- incult
- illiberal
- ungentlemanly
- lowbred
- ill-bred
- loutish
- boorish
- unsophisticated
- lumpish
- insensitive
- thoughtless
- inconsiderate
- clownish
- lubberly
- indelicate
- churlish
- cloddish
- uncivilized
- inelegant
- barbarous
- countrified
- oafish
- tacky
- barbaric
- rustical
- provincial
- graceless
- unmannered
- unmannerly
- countryfied
- mannerless
- animallike
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- smooth
- polished
- civilized
- refined
- genteel
- cultured
- cultivated
- tasteful
- aristocratic
- elegant
- graceful
- sensitive
- patrician
- restrained
- courtly
- ultrarefined
- well-bred
- thoughtful
- gracious
- sophisticated
- considerate
- urbane
- citified
10
as in hairy
made of or resembling hair a rough-coated dog who was always shedding his fur Synonyms & Similar Words
- shaggy
- hairy
- fuzzy
- woolly
- fluffy
- wooly
- furry
- puffy
- downy
- nappy
- hairlike
11
as in bumpy
marked by a series of sharp quick motions a rough flight that left some passengers nauseated Synonyms & Similar Words
- bumpy
- uneven
- choppy
- jouncy
- jerky
- unsteady
- jagged
- herky-jerky
- ragged
- erratic
- irregular
- fitful
- spastic
- spasmodic
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- smooth
- steady
- calm
- still
- placid
12
as in brutal
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 Synonyms & Similar Words
- turbulent
- brutal
- wild
- harsh
- rugged
- tumultuous
- stormy
- bleak
- tempestuous
- violent
- raging
- severe
- nasty
- unsettled
- raw
- blustery
- inclement
- blustering
- unquiet
- squally
- roily
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- quiet
- calm
- peaceful
- serene
- tranquil
- placid
- fair
- clear
- bright
- sunny
- halcyon
- cloudless
- sunshiny
- clement
- unclouded
rough
2 of 3noun
as in rowdy
Synonyms & Similar Words
- tough
- rowdy
- ruffian
- hood
- thug
- toughie
- roughneck
- hooligan
- hoodlum
- punk
- goon
- toughy
- tease
- cutthroat
- harrier
- abuser
- teaser
- heckler
- gangster
- torturer
- oppressor
- mocker
- harasser
- needler
- giber
- enemy
- felon
- jiber
- mobster
- taunter
- persecutor
- ridiculer
- baiter
- racketeer
- mug
- gunman
- antagonist
- bully
- hector
- intimidator
- bullyboy
rough
3 of 3verb
as in to whack
Synonyms & Similar Words
- whack
- chop
- pummel
- hit
- crack
- pelt
- slap
- rap
- knock
- smack
- slog
- cuff
- maul
- bump
- clip
- bonk
- lick
- scuff
- punch
- thump
- mangle
- hammer
- clock
- buffet
- paste
- box
- slug
- bang
- bob
- pepper
- belt
- batter
- tag
- thwack
- strike
- whale
- bludgeon
- beat
- sock
- butt
- bash
- clap
- stroke
- biff
- lace
- pommel
- smite
- bat
- pound
- bop
- bust
- nail
- kick
- bung
- slam
- wallop
- knee
- zap
- push
- clobber
- knock down
- swipe
- drub
- clout
- swat
- jostle
- deck
- floor
- flick
- lambast
- tap
- poke
- lambaste
- shove
- jab
- stamp
- fell
- dump
- level
- sucker punch
- stab
- club
- slash
- cream
- bunt
- prod
- cane
- sledge
- sap
- flail
- sledgehammer
- skull
- whip
- lash
- thrash
- bowl (down or over)
- brain
- bean
- cudgel
- spear
- rabbit-punch
- flog
- conk
- switch
Synonym Chooser
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
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
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
Although the words scabrous and rough have much in common, scabrous implies scaliness or prickliness of surface.
a scabrous leaf
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