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Definitions

rugged

[ruhg-id] / ˈrʌg ɪd /
ADJECTIVE
bumpy, weathered
Synonyms
STRONGEST
craggy hilly jagged mountainous rocky rough
STRONG
furrowed
WEAK
asperous broken coarse difficult harsh irregular leathery lumpy ragged roughhewn scabrous scraggy stark uneven unlevel unpolished unrefined unsmooth weather-beaten worn wrinkled
Antonyms
STRONGEST
even flat smooth
WEAK
calm courteous easy facile gentle level mild moderate nice refined small sophisticated tiny weak
ADJECTIVE
severe, violent
Synonyms
STRONGEST
brutal rough
WEAK
bitter difficult hard harsh inclement intemperate rigorous stormy tempestuous turbulent
Antonyms
STRONGEST
nice
WEAK
calm courteous easy even facile flat gentle level mild moderate refined small smooth sophisticated tiny weak
ADJECTIVE
uncouth, crude
Synonyms
WEAK
barbarous blunt boorish churlish graceless ill-bred loutish rude uncultured unpolished unrefined
Antonyms
WEAK
calm courteous easy even facile flat gentle level mild moderate nice refined small smooth sophisticated tiny weak
ADJECTIVE
difficult, rigorous
Synonyms
STRONGEST
arduous rough strenuous tough
WEAK
demanding exacting formidable hairy hard harsh heavy heavy sledding knotty laborious large order mean murder no picnic operose stern taxing trying uncompromising uphill
Antonyms
STRONGEST
easy facile nice
WEAK
calm courteous even flat gentle level mild moderate refined small smooth sophisticated tiny weak
ADJECTIVE
big, strong
Synonyms
STRONGEST
athletic sturdy tough
WEAK
able-bodied brawny energetic forceful hale hardy healthy husky indefatigable lusty muscular robust unflagging vigorous well-built
Antonyms
STRONGEST
unstable weak wobbly
WEAK
calm courteous easy even facile flat gentle level mild moderate nice refined small smooth sophisticated tiny

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.

During their historic lunar flyby, astronauts on NASA's Artemis II mission witnessed meteorites striking the rugged surface of the Moon, a sight that has piqued scientists' curiosity.

From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026

At the time, however, the frontier – with its rugged cowboys, miners and railroad men – defined American manhood.

From Salon • Apr. 6, 2026

The mountainous terrain is rugged and covered by thick bush.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

Still, with his chest-hugging T-shirt and rugged handsomeness, Mr. Bernthal recalls John Travolta in his early prime rather than the sweaty, disheveled but endearing desperado memorably created by Mr. Pacino.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

Our home was in a beautiful valley far back in the rugged Ozarks.

From "Where the Red Fern Grows" by Wilson Rawls

Vocabulary lists containing rugged

Where the Red Fern Grows

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Vigorous Vocab: Synonyms for "Strong"

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Herbert Hoover on "Rugged Individualism" (1928)

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