rugged

adjective

rug·​ged ˈrə-gəd How to pronounce rugged (audio)
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 menL. D. Stamp
4
a
: rough and strong in character
b
c
5
: turbulent, stormy
rugged weather
6
obsolete : shaggy, hairy
ruggedly adverb
ruggedness noun
Choose the Right Synonym for rugged

rough, harsh, uneven, rugged, scabrous mean not smooth or even.

rough implies points, bristles, ridges, or projections on the surface.

a rough wooden board

harsh implies a surface or texture distinctly unpleasant to the touch.

a harsh fabric that chafes the skin

uneven implies a lack of uniformity in height, breadth, or quality.

an old house with uneven floors

rugged implies irregularity or roughness of land surface and connotes difficulty of travel.

a rugged landscape

scabrous implies scaliness or prickliness of surface.

a scabrous leaf

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle English *rug

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 6

Time Traveler
The first known use of rugged was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rugged.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rugged. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

rugged

adjective
rug·​ged ˈrəg-əd How to pronounce rugged (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on rugged

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!