rugged

[ ruhg-id ]

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: unpolished, crude

9. homely or plain:

   rugged fare.

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

    rugged floor covering; a rugged lumberjack.

    Antonyms: frail

rugged

/ 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

Derived Forms

• ˈruggedly, adverb
• ˈruggedness, noun

Other Words From

• rugged·ly adverb
• rugged·ness noun
• un·rugged adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of rugged¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of rugged¹

C14: from Scandinavian; compare Swedish rugga to make rough

Example Sentences

Now, 43, he has a bit of a rugged edge — something that is serving him well in his latest role in the “Magic Mike”-meets-mistletoe flick “The Merry Gentlemen.”

From Los Angeles Times

Born and bred in Zaun with a long criminal background, Vi is as rugged and misanthropic as Caitlyn is sleek and chic.

From Salon

“The fire continues to creep and smolder in steep rugged terrain. Threats remain to critical infrastructure, highways and communities,” according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, better known as Cal Fire.

From Salon

The blaze caused its greatest devastation on Wednesday, when the powerful winds prevented aircraft from dropping fire-retardent chemicals as firefighters struggled to combat the flames on rugged steep ground amid periodic shortages of water.

From Los Angeles Times

Like countless other adventure seekers drawn to California’s rugged and remote Eastern Sierra, Markstein, 31, initially embraced “van life” after scrolling through social media posts that made it look carefree and glamorous.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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