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: 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

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

Other Word Forms

• ruggedly adverb
• ruggedness noun
• unrugged 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

One of the best views of waves breaking off Maine’s rugged coast can be seen from Ogunquit’s Marginal Way, a coastal cliff walk in the southern part of the state.

Read more on Barron's

One of those bright streaks swept over a rugged mountainside and found our friends.

Read more on Literature

Since then, more than 40 lighthouses have graced the state’s rugged, foggy shores.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

It’s a crisp night in the rugged mountains above Los Angeles following the first rains of fall.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

A gateway to Yellowstone National Park surrounded by rugged scenery, the city draws a steady stream of tourists and is stocked with restaurants, bars and galleries.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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