rugged

adjective

rug·​ged ˈrə-gəd How to pronounce rugged (audio)
Synonyms of ruggednext
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
4
a
: rough and strong in character
b
: coarse, rude
c
: austere, stern
5
: turbulent, stormy
rugged weather
6
obsolete : shaggy, hairy
ruggedly adverb
ruggedness noun

Synonyms

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus
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 ad campaign shows pizza on a beach, pizza in a rugged Utah stonescape, and pizza in an untrammeled field of snow. — Brenda Stolyar, WIRED, 15 Mar. 2025 With wind-shielding collars, oversized pockets, and an air of rugged utility, these jackets bring a touch of the fisherman aesthetic to your seasonal lineup. — Victoria Montalti, refinery29.com, 14 Mar. 2025 But then, a week isn’t too long for a brigade of rugged MiG-29s to disperse as a precaution. — David Axe, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025 Their rugged watch band for the iPhone was the first specifically designed for surfing. — Jan Wagner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Mar. 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

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Cite this Entry

“Rugged.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rugged. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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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

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