rough going

ADJECTIVE

oppressive

Synonyms

STRONGEST

brutal burdensome cruel depressing dictatorial harsh heavy-handed inhuman onerous overbearing tyrannical unjust

WEAK

backbreaking bleak confining demanding depressive despotic discouraging disheartening dismal dispiriting exacting exigent gloomy grievous grinding headache heavy hefty ironhanded mean severe somber superincumbent taxing tough troublesome weighty

Antonyms

STRONGEST

easy gentle kind nice

WEAK

calm cool mild relieving temperate

NOUN

hard knocks

Synonyms

WEAK

adversity difficulties hardship stress troubles

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.

Yet the company has faced rough going since gaining independence.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 4, 2025

But it was rough going for the college moderate, for whom there were no social gatherings, like WelcomeFest, to fill that gap.

From Slate • Jun. 9, 2025

Not all the memes were such rough going, but they affirm that “What Was I Made For?,” written with her brother and producer Finneas O’Connell, has transcended the smash-hit film it arrived with.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 11, 2023

The half-mile from the interstate to the Sno-Park is rough going due to some crater-sized potholes.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 3, 2023

It was rough going, and even slower than I thought it would be.

From "Fallen Angels" by Walter Dean Myers

rough going

Example Sentences

Related Words