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rough

rough

2.3
In a violent or harsh way
  • adverb
  • /rʌf/
  • Informal
translation icon : bruscamente
  • Please hold the picture frame roughly in place while I mark the spots for the nails.

Examples

  • OK, Just hold it in place roughly, just make sure it's lined up and centered.

  • These men proceeded to handle us all very roughly, not accepting even those who were by this time dead.

  • Then I'm roughly chopping in two red Peppers.

  • The children played roughly in the yard, making a mess of the flower beds.

  • She sketched the figure roughly before adding more details to her drawing.

Synonyms

brutally
vsrough
  • Offensive
142 6.1

In a cruel or very harsh way that causes harm

is more informal and general, not focused solely on cruelty
harshly
vsrough
49 3.5

In a severe or unkind way that feels unpleasant

is more informal and can imply physical force rather than only severity
sharply
vsrough
44 2.8

In a harsh, angry way when speaking to someone

is more informal and often refers to physical harshness not only tone
roughly
vsrough
36 1.4

In a hard, violent way that shows no care

is the informal spoken adverb used instead of the standard adverb
viciously
vsrough
34 5.7

In a cruel and violent way

is a broader informal term covering general harshness without savagery
crudely
vsrough
13 4.8

In a rough, unskilled, and often rude way

is more about harsh or violent action rather than mere lack of polish
coarsely
vsrough
10 4.2

Using large, rough pieces rather than small ones

is used informally for harsh or violent manners rather than physical texture
raucously
vsrough
1 7.9

In a loud, rough way that bothers other people

is used more for harsh action or violence, not only loud noise
brutishly
vsrough
  • NSFW
1 8.1

In a cruel and violent way that hurts people

is less animalistic and more common in everyday informal speech
jaggedly
vsrough
1 4.8

In a rough, uneven way with sharp points

is about manner that is violent or severe, not physical shape or edges
abrasively
vsrough
6.5

In a harsh, rude way that upsets people when speaking or acting

is broader and informal, covering general harsh action not only causing offence
grittily
vsrough
6.0

In a rough, grainy way like sand on skin

is more about behaviour and force rather than sensory graininess
sharpish
vsrough
  • UK
7.4

A little rude and short in the way someone speaks

is less about brief rudeness and more about harsh or violent conduct

Antonyms

372 1.0

To do something with little force to avoid hurting or making noise

173 2.3

In an easy, calm way without problems or embarrassment

Idioms

7 5.2

A person or thing with great talent but little polish

To go through a short time with problems after a good time

rough time of it
  • Informal
2 6.5

A period when someone has many problems

Accept the good and bad parts of a situation

Compounds

rough cut
  • Specialized
5 4.8

An early edited version of a film before final changes

the rough
  • Jargon
5 7.0

An area on a golf course with long grass that makes play harder

rough-and-tumble
  • Informal
3 7.3

Energetic and rough, not following usual rules

3 3.6

Sea or big lake with strong waves that make travel by boat difficult

2 8.1

A soldier on horseback in the volunteer unit led by Theodore Roosevelt during the Spanish-American War

1 4.7

A sharp, uneven part that can cut, or a small fault in a person's way of behaving

An appearance that seems tough but hides a softer side

rough-and-ready
  • Informal
1 6.6

Simple and not carefully made but good enough for the job

rough sledding
  • Informal
1 7.0

A difficult time that is hard to get through

1 8.1

A harsh punishment people give without help from the police or courts

rough trot
  • Informal
1 8.1

A difficult time or an uncomfortable ride someone has

rough-skinned newt
  • Specialized
1 8.8

A small salamander with rough skin that lives near streams on the Pacific coast

A climbing evergreen plant with spiny zigzag stems, shiny leaves, and pale green flowers

rough bristlegrass
  • Specialized
9.6

A grass with rough, stiff seed heads that often grows as a weed

A quick simple sketch that shows the main ideas

rough pea
  • Specialized
8.8

A winter plant with weak stems that farmers use to cover soil and feed animals

7.1

A person who sleeps outside because they have no home

rough fish
  • Jargon
8.1

A fish people do not want to eat, catch, or use as bait

rough green snake
  • Specialized
8.4

A thin bright green snake with rough scales that is harmless and lives in the southern and eastern United States

rough horsetail
  • Specialized
9.6

An evergreen plant with rough, jointed stems that people use to scrub pans

A noisy, rough fight with little care for rules

rough-cut
  • Specialized
4.9

Shaped but not smoothed or fully finished

A cloth with a coarse, uneven surface that feels scratchy

rough-leaved aster
  • Specialized
9.5

A North American plant that lives for many years with rough hairy leaves and purple daisy-like flowers

rough-legged hawk
  • Specialized
7.0

A large Northern hawk with feathered legs that hunts small animals like mice

A person who speaks in a rude, harsh way

7.9

A plant from North America with rough stems and small yellow flowers

A surface that feels bumpy or not smooth to the touch

How Rough

violently
107 3.5
rough
  • Informal
2.3
harshly
49 3.5
crudely
13 4.8
coarsely
10 4.2

Surface Forms

rough positive
rougher comparative
roughest superlative

Etymology

Rough comes from old English ruh for 'coarse', used to describe a harsh way of doing something, and that meaning made the adverb form. So doing something 'rough' means doing it in a harsh or not-delicate way.