Tough

Quick meaning: Tough is an adjective meaning (of a material) Strong and resilient; sturdy.

Meaning

(of a material) Strong and resilient; sturdy.

More Meanings

1. (of food) Difficult to cut or chew.
2. (of a person or animal) Rugged or physically hardy.
3. (of a person) Stubborn or persistent; capable of stubbornness or persistence.
4. (of weather, etc.) Harsh or severe.
5. Rowdy or rough.
6. (of questions, etc.) Difficult or demanding.
7. (material science) Undergoing plastic deformation before breaking.

Example Sentences

This is a tough crowd.

He had a reputation as a tough negotiator.

Only a tough species will survive in the desert.

The tent, made of tough canvas, held up to many abuses.

Word Forms

• tougher
• toughest
• toughs
• toughing
• toughed

Synonyms for tough

Depending on context, synonyms include robust, stout, adamantine, concrete, firm, granitic.

Antonyms for tough

Common opposites include tender, untoughened.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include sturdy, hardened, hard-bitten, hard, tough-minded, toughie.

Commonly Confused & Compared Words

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