1
as in sturdy
able to withstand hardship, strain, or exposure
a rugged construction that survived for hundreds of years
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2
as in tough
difficult to endure
the incredibly rugged conditions that the polar explorers faced
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3
as in gruff
harsh and threatening in manner or appearance
the warrior's rugged features frightened the child
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4
as in muscular
having muscles capable of exerting great physical force
a rugged athlete who's competing in weight lifting in the Olympics
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5
as in jagged
not having a level or smooth surface
rugged terrain that made for slow going
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6
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort
even more rugged than most ultramarathons, this one crosses a desert
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7
as in turbulent
marked by turmoil or disturbance especially of natural elements
New Hampshire's Mount Washington has some of the ruggedest weather in all of North America
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8
as in crass
lacking in refinement or good taste
the kind of rugged humor that men have traditionally enjoyed at stag parties
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rugged
Wind and waves create striking patterns in the sand along the rugged west coast of Spain’s Fuerteventura.
—
Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
Shepherd spent most of her life near the Cairngorm mountains of the Scottish highlands, exploring the flora and fauna of the rugged hills as often as possible.
—Bekah Waalkes, The Atlantic, 1 May 2025
Beautiful landscape shots offer a sense of the scale of the American West, especially as Rust and Lucas navigate the rugged territory.
—Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 30 Apr. 2025
Set on the rugged and beautiful south Kona coast, this place of refuge was a safe haven for those who broke the kapu or sacred laws, transgressions punishable by death in old Hawaii.
—Ben Davidson, Mercury News, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rugged
Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
Shepherd spent most of her life near the Cairngorm mountains of the Scottish highlands, exploring the flora and fauna of the rugged hills as often as possible.
—Bekah Waalkes, The Atlantic, 1 May 2025
Beautiful landscape shots offer a sense of the scale of the American West, especially as Rust and Lucas navigate the rugged territory.
—Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 30 Apr. 2025
Set on the rugged and beautiful south Kona coast, this place of refuge was a safe haven for those who broke the kapu or sacred laws, transgressions punishable by death in old Hawaii.
—Ben Davidson, Mercury News, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rugged
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rugged
Adjective
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It’s also loaded with features like USB passthrough and a sturdy wrist rest.—
Shubham Yewale,
PC Magazine,
1 May 2025
-
Best Minimalist Pick: Kuru Flex Via Kuru may specialize in sturdy, supportive shoes—but that doesn’t mean all of its pairs feel clunky.—
Sara Coughlin,
SELF,
1 May 2025
Adjective
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Federal judges have so far been skeptical of the Trump administration’s past efforts to use extraordinary powers to make deportations easier, and that could make suspending habeas corpus even tougher.—
Will Weissert,
Chicago Tribune,
10 May 2025
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Last year’s drought conditions that extended into late fall combined with very windy winter conditions and frozen soils were tough for some evergreens.—
Pamm Cooper,
Hartford Courant,
10 May 2025
Adjective
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Fimmel digs into the more stereotypical gruff bounty hunter with relish, though the character itself is a western staple.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
1 May 2025
-
There’s a gruff lyricism to the performance that’s entrancing even when Elmer is standing up in a coffin.—
Charles McNulty,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Dominic Solanke is a doubt for Sunday’s trip to West Ham United after also being forced off with a muscular problem during the Europa League tie.—
Elias Burke,
New York Times,
2 May 2025
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Indeed, an ascendant wing of the Republican Party has actively pushed for a more muscular government—in the areas of family and industrial policy, for example—after reaching the conclusion that Reagan-style market orthodoxy has hollowed out communities, among other bad outcomes.—
Jon Allsop,
New Yorker,
2 May 2025
Adjective
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Grok 3: The wind howled through the jagged spires of the Frostfang Reaches, carrying a chill that bit deeper than any blade, and Ser Willem Cray felt its teeth in his bones.—
Kelsey Piper,
Vox,
12 May 2025
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For the next hour or so, several of them will summit various routes along the cliff's steep, jagged face.—
Sean Clancy,
Arkansas Online,
12 May 2025
Adjective
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Rust, a difficult movie to release, grossed $25k at 115 theaters, presented by Falling Forward Films.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
4 May 2025
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Clematis wilt is a fungal infection that is difficult to treat.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
3 May 2025
Adjective
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The film spans two decades of a country in profound transformation with a new perspective into contemporary China and individual experience amid turbulent change.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
9 May 2025
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The stakes are high, as the visits take place amid turbulent geopolitical tensions.—
Natasha Turak,
CNBC,
9 May 2025
Adjective
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Related Articles Dear Abby: Is there a way to tell the crass shirttail relations that they’re not invited?—
Jeanne Phillips,
Mercury News,
10 May 2025
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Grand Theft Auto is famous for its crass, satirical sense of humor.—
Jordan Minor,
PC Magazine,
6 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rugged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rugged. Accessed 16 May. 2025.
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