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View synonyms for tough

tough

[ tuhf ]

adjective

, tough·er, tough·est.
  1. strong and durable; not easily broken or cut.

    Synonyms: hard, firm

    Antonyms: fragile

  2. not brittle or tender.
  3. difficult to masticate, as food:

    a tough steak.

  4. of viscous consistency, as liquid or semiliquid matter:

    tough molasses.

  5. capable of great endurance; sturdy; hardy:

    tough troops.

    Synonyms: durable

    Antonyms: weak, feeble

  6. not easily influenced, as a person; unyielding; stubborn:

    a tough man to work for.

    Synonyms: inflexible

  7. hardened; incorrigible:

    a tough criminal.

  8. difficult to perform, accomplish, or deal with; hard, trying, or troublesome:

    a tough problem.

  9. hard to bear or endure (often used ironically):

    tough luck.

  10. vigorous; severe; violent:

    a tough struggle.

  11. vicious; rough; rowdyish:

    a tough character;

    a tough neighborhood.

  12. practical, realistic, and lacking in sentimentality; tough-minded.
  13. Slang. remarkably excellent; first-rate; great.


adverb

  1. in a tough manner.

noun

  1. a ruffian; rowdy.

tough

/ tʌf /

adjective

  1. strong or resilient; durable

    a tough material

  2. not tender

    he could not eat the tough steak

  3. having a great capacity for endurance; hardy and fit

    a tough mountaineer

  4. rough or pugnacious

    a tough gangster

  5. resolute or intractable

    a tough employer

  6. difficult or troublesome to do or deal with

    a tough problem

  7. informal.
    unfortunate or unlucky

    it's tough on him

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. a rough, vicious, or pugnacious person
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adverb

  1. informal.
    violently, aggressively, or intractably

    to treat someone tough

  2. hang tough informal.
    to be or appear to be strong or determined
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. slang.
    tr to stand firm, hold out against (a difficulty or difficult situation) (esp in tough it out )
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈtoughish, adjective
  • ˈtoughly, adverb
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Other Words From

  • toughly adverb
  • toughness noun
  • super·tough adjective
  • un·tough adjective
  • un·toughly adverb
  • un·toughness noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of tough1

First recorded before 900; Middle English (adjective); Old English tōh; compare Dutch taai, German zäh(e)
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Word History and Origins

Origin of tough1

Old English tōh; related to Old High German zāhi tough, Old Norse trodden ground in front of a house
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Idioms and Phrases

Idioms
  1. hang tough, Slang. hang ( def 62 ).
  2. tough it out, Informal. to endure or resist hardship or adversity.

More idioms and phrases containing tough

  • get tough
  • gut (tough) it out
  • hang tough
  • hard (tough) act to follow
  • hard (tough) nut to crack
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Example Sentences

In his one start this season, Martin played fearlessly in one of college football’s toughest environments.

When it comes to indifference, after Fletcher's first visit many more Sudanese and aid workers will be watching closely, hoping he can make a difference in this "toughest crisis in the world".

From BBC

It means also confronting the worst possible outcomes and the tough, transformative work that lies ahead.

From Salon

"They both love the environment and love where they live, but it's just going to be tough for them."

From BBC

"It's always going to be tough against a side coached by Joe Schmidt," said Irish captain Doris.

From BBC

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

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