rougher

American  

[ruhf-er] / ˈrʌf ər /

noun

1. a person or thing that roughs or roughs out something, as certain crude cutting tools or a person who performs the first, rough parts of a process.

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Etymology

Origin of rougher

First recorded in 1880–85; rough + -er ¹

Example Sentences

The U.S. labor market is ending 2025 on a sour note, with higher unemployment and shrinking wage growth, a dynamic that could potentially set up an even rougher 2026.

From The Wall Street Journal

Much rougher than what we see today, that is.

From Los Angeles Times

We like the way it handles rougher pavement and even unpaved surfaces.

From MarketWatch

As she marched through the cloudy water, the ocean became shallower and rougher.

From Literature

But there are whitecaps on the horizon, suggesting rougher seas ahead.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• coarse
• cruel
• hard
• harsh
• nasty
• raw
• tough
• unpleasant
• unpolished
• violent