rugged

adjective

rug·ged ˈrə-gəd

Synonyms of rugged

: having a rough uneven surface : jagged

rugged mountains

the rugged surface of the moon

: seamed with wrinkles and furrows : weathered

—used of a human face

of a man's face : having rough but attractive features

rugged good looks

: presenting a severe test of ability, stamina, or resolution

a long and rugged winter

a rugged climb

: strongly built or constituted : robust

… those that survive are stalwart, rugged men …—L. D. Stamp

: rough and strong in character

made of rugged material

: coarse, rude

His single swift glance took in the men, one after another. Annixter, rugged, crude, sitting awkwardly …—Frank Norris

: austere, stern

Rugged, stern, puritanical, as were most of Boston's leaders …—Michael Pearson

: turbulent, stormy

rugged weather

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.

More than 500 foreigners from 32 countries are among those still unaccounted for in the rugged mountainous region, which is popular with pilgrims and trekkers. — Josh Feldman, NBC news, 27 Aug. 2026 Galena Illinois Framed by rugged bluffs that are especially scenic in fall, Galena’s historic Main Street looks like a vintage postcard—more than 120 century-old buildings house restaurants and shops filled with antiques, art, and giftable goodies. — Taryn Shorr-McKee, Midwest Living, 26 Aug. 2026 Ayrshire doesn’t get the headlines or rapturous odes that the Highlands do, but this rugged coastal stretch in southwestern Scotland is filled with under-the-radar gems like Glenapp Castle. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Aug. 2026 The Waterford City and County Council also emphasized the area’s rugged coastlines and picturesque towns when asked about the billionaire’s castle purchase. — Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026 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

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Rugged.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rugged. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

rugged

adjective

rug·ged ˈrəg-əd

: having a rough uneven surface

hiking on rugged trails

the rugged surface of the moon

: having wrinkles or uneven features

their rugged faces

rugged good looks

: having a rough but strong or sturdy character

rugged pioneers

: involving hardship : presenting a severe test of physical, mental, or moral strength

a rugged winter

rugged training

the rugged life of a sailor

: being strong and tough

rugged enough to stand hard use

ruggedly adverb

ruggedness noun

rugged

adjective

Synonyms of rugged

Examples of rugged in a Sentence

Word History

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Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

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