rugged

American  

[ruhg-id] / ˈrʌg ɪd /

adjective

1. having a roughly broken, rocky, hilly, or jagged surface.

   rugged ground.

   Synonyms:

   craggy, irregular, uneven

   Antonyms:

   smooth

2. (of a face) wrinkled or furrowed, as by experience or the endurance of hardship.

3. roughly irregular, heavy, or hard in outline or form; craggy.

   Lincoln's rugged features.

4. rough, harsh, or stern, as persons or nature.

   Synonyms:

   austere

   Antonyms:

   mild

5. full of hardship and trouble; severe; hard; trying.

   a rugged life.

6. tempestuous; stormy.

   rugged weather.

   Synonyms:

   turbulent

7. harsh to the ear.

   rugged sounds.

   Synonyms:

   cacophonous, grating

8. rude, uncultivated, or unrefined.

   Synonyms:

   crude, unpolished

9. homely or plain.

   rugged fare.

10. capable of enduring hardship, wear, etc.; strong and tough.

    rugged floor covering; a rugged lumberjack.

    Antonyms:

    frail

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rugged British  

/ ˈrʌɡɪd /

adjective

1. having an uneven or jagged surface

2. rocky or steep

   rugged scenery

3. (of the face) strong-featured or furrowed

4. rough, severe, or stern in character

5. without refinement or culture; rude

   rugged manners

6. involving hardship; harsh

   he leads a rugged life in the mountains

7. difficult or hard

   a rugged test

8. (of equipment, machines, etc) designed to withstand rough treatment or use in rough conditions

   a handheld rugged computer which can survive being submerged in water

9. sturdy or strong; robust

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Other Word Forms

• ruggedly adverb
• ruggedness noun
• unrugged adjective

Etymology

Origin of rugged

1300–50; Middle English < Scandinavian; compare Swedish rugga to roughen (of cloth); rug

Example Sentences

Still, with his chest-hugging T-shirt and rugged handsomeness, Mr. Bernthal recalls John Travolta in his early prime rather than the sweaty, disheveled but endearing desperado memorably created by Mr. Pacino.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

Surrounded by rugged mountains, it is around a 14-hour drive from the capital, Tehran.

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026

Herzog depicts the bushmen who aid Boyes as dignified, diligent and intelligent without romanticizing them while capturing the rugged beauty of the African landscape.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 24, 2026

Sulfate minerals are widespread throughout the Valles Marineris region, especially in rugged landscapes called chaotic terrains.

From Science Daily • Mar. 10, 2026

Princesses of even the most delicate sensibilities have been known to enjoy a rugged camping trip, with melted marshmallows and spooky tales told ’round the fire.

From "The Interrupted Tale" by Maryrose Wood

Related Words

• craggy
• hilly
• jagged
• mountainous
• rocky
• rough