roughneck

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.

In “Crazy About a Mercury,” a man says of his roughneck wife, “I thought she was slapping herself in the face in the bar where we met, but it was how she eats peanuts.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 4, 2025

A brash roughneck with a golden heart, Bill inspires Trina’s puppy-like devotion.

From New York Times • Apr. 16, 2024

Keith worked as a roughneck in the oil fields of Oklahoma as a young man, then played semi-pro football before launching his career as a singer.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 6, 2024

In “Stillwater,” Matt Damon plays Bill Baker, an Oklahoma roughneck who works on oil rigs by day and prays before his fast-food dinner at night.

From Washington Post • Jul. 28, 2021

A roughneck in coveralls stepped out of the crowd and faced the house.

From "Out of Darkness" by Ashley Hope Pérez