1
: having a rough uneven surface : jagged
rugged mountains
2
a
: seamed with wrinkles and furrows : weathered
—used of a human face
b
: showing facial signs of strength
rugged good looks
3
a
: presenting a severe test of ability, stamina, or resolution
b
: strongly built or constituted : robust
those that survive are stalwart, rugged men—
L. D. Stamp
L. D. Stamp
ruggedly
adverb
ruggedness
noun
Examples of rugged in a Sentence
the rugged surface of the moon
She did a painting of the region's rugged coastline.
People are attracted to his rugged good looks.
I admire her rugged individualism.
Recent Examples on the Web
The unexpected combination of rugged Western elements with sleek swimwear created a striking contrast that resonated with the fashion-forward crowd.
—Cassell Ferere, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025
Nigel Sylvester’s Air Jordan 4 RM collaborations were some of the most coveted sneakers of 2024 and after a reported Air Jordan 7 RM instead turned out to be a new model known as the Jordan 92 MVP, another Air Jordan shoe is now rumored to receive the rugged restomod remaster.
—Riley Jones, Footwear News, 7 June 2025
More than 100 officers are involved in the search covering rugged terrain in Washington's Cascade Mountains, with over 500 tips received from the public, according to the Chelan County Sheriff's Office.
—Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 June 2025
The image of a bourbon drinker has too often been that of a white cis male and his friends hanging out in rugged environments.
—Diana Lambdin Meyer, USA Today, 7 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for rugged
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Cassell Ferere, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025
Nigel Sylvester’s Air Jordan 4 RM collaborations were some of the most coveted sneakers of 2024 and after a reported Air Jordan 7 RM instead turned out to be a new model known as the Jordan 92 MVP, another Air Jordan shoe is now rumored to receive the rugged restomod remaster.
—Riley Jones, Footwear News, 7 June 2025
More than 100 officers are involved in the search covering rugged terrain in Washington's Cascade Mountains, with over 500 tips received from the public, according to the Chelan County Sheriff's Office.
—Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 June 2025
The image of a bourbon drinker has too often been that of a white cis male and his friends hanging out in rugged environments.
—Diana Lambdin Meyer, USA Today, 7 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for rugged
Cite this Entry
“Rugged.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rugged. Accessed 13 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
rugged
adjective
rug·ged
ˈrəg-əd 
1
: having a rough uneven surface
hiking on rugged trails
the rugged surface of the moon
2
: having wrinkles or uneven features
their rugged faces
rugged good looks
3
: having a rough but strong or sturdy character
rugged pioneers
4
: involving hardship : presenting a severe test of physical, mental, or moral strength
a rugged winter
rugged training
the rugged life of a sailor
5
: being strong and tough
rugged enough to stand hard use
ruggedly
adverb
ruggedness
noun
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