1
as in clumsy
hastily or roughly constructed
a survivalist living in a rough-hewn shelter in the wilderness
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in crass
lacking in refinement or good taste
a rough-hewn kid who had to learn how to behave properly in polite company
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in uncomfortable
lacking social grace and assurance
rough-hewn military cadets feeling a little self-conscious at their first formal dance
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rough-hewn
Over the years, Butler has become proficient at playing exceptional Average Joes: rough-hewn, relatable Everymen thrust into extraordinary circumstances that require dramatic feats of skill and bravery.
—
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 16 June 2025
Here, a twig fence and rough-hewn steps lend structure to a path while looking at one with the lush landscape.
2.
—Miranda Crowell, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 May 2025
Its rough-hewn stone walls and simply articulated windows and stringcourses were absolutely extraordinary in their ordinariness.
—Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 18 May 2025
The city has tried to turn the page on George Floyd Square as a rough-hewn protest site by putting forward a plan to revamp the streets and sidewalks and setting aside the lot of a shuttered gas station to build a memorial or community center.
—Ernesto Londoño, New York Times, 18 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for rough-hewn
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 16 June 2025
Here, a twig fence and rough-hewn steps lend structure to a path while looking at one with the lush landscape.
2.
—Miranda Crowell, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 May 2025
Its rough-hewn stone walls and simply articulated windows and stringcourses were absolutely extraordinary in their ordinariness.
—Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 18 May 2025
The city has tried to turn the page on George Floyd Square as a rough-hewn protest site by putting forward a plan to revamp the streets and sidewalks and setting aside the lot of a shuttered gas station to build a memorial or community center.
—Ernesto Londoño, New York Times, 18 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for rough-hewn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rough-hewn
Adjective
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And Hank’s own clumsy attempts at hypermasculine child-rearing often come from his father, Cotton (Toby Huss).—
Daniel Dockery,
Vulture,
7 July 2025
-
Gone are are the days of clumsy imagery and texts and fake sign-in pages that can be detected in an instant.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
3 July 2025
Adjective
-
Brandi Glanville & Lisa Vanderpump (RHOBH) Photo-Illustration: Vulture; Photo: Kelsey McNeal/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images Lisa and Brandi were an odd fit from the start: Brandi, the crass newbie; Lisa Vanderpump, the grande dame of Beverly Hills.—
Eddie Mouradian,
Vulture,
11 June 2025
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Most Popular Most Popular Asking Eric: The parents refuse to cut their trip short despite their teen’s crisis Asking Eric: The parents refuse to cut their trip short despite their teen's crisis Dear Abby: Is there a way to tell the crass shirttail relations that they’re not invited?—
Nathan Canilao,
Mercury News,
10 May 2025
Adjective
-
As the narrative has expanded into continuation and origin stories, like Dexter: New Blood and Dexter: Original Sin, Hall, 54, has returned as Dexter Morgan for even more uncomfortable experiences, while still out for blood.—
Jeff Conway,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
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Looking cute doesn’t have to mean feeling uncomfortable.—
Averi Baudler,
People.com,
11 July 2025
Adjective
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Most young kids who are just getting used to their animal friends tend to be a little rough with them at first.—
Marilyn La Jeunesse,
Parents,
9 July 2025
-
His second and third seasons were especially rough.—
Aaron Portzline,
New York Times,
8 July 2025
Adjective
-
Nan’s rebellion was never loud or vulgar but always quietly confident and effortlessly elegant.—
Felicity Carter,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
-
The comics were often dismissed as a vulgar form, but the bad joke of our superhero-movie culture is that most of it is a vulgarization of the comics.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
8 July 2025
Adjective
-
Outlook: Stability or Strain? Oil markets in 2024 were defined by an uneasy equilibrium.—
Robert Rapier,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
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Given that uneasy reminder, the small victory ultimately won by King and his followers is even more extraordinary and potent.—
Sophie van Bastelaer,
EW.com,
7 July 2025
Adjective
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The Montana Department of Labor & Industry reported that its top three imports from Canada in 2021 were crude oil, platinum waste and scrap, and conifer wood.—
Jenna Sundel
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 July 2025
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China's demand for petrol and diesel is falling as electric vehicle sales surge, but the trend is being masked by the country's massive strategic stockpiling of crude oil, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said on Friday.—
Jenni Reid,
CNBC,
11 July 2025
Adjective
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Nearly one in four Gen Z professionals viewed the thumbs-up as rude or hostile.—
Dr. Diane Hamilton,
Forbes.com,
3 July 2025
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This strikes me as rude and short-sighted (no pun intended).—
R. Eric Thomas,
Mercury News,
2 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rough-hewn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rough-hewn. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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