Comprehensive
Dictionary Suite
Help
Help
Help
 
     
Lookup History
tough

tough

 
 
pronunciation:
tuhf
parts of speech:
adjective, noun
phrases:
tough it out
features:
Word Combinations (adjective, noun), Word Explorer
part of speech: adjective
inflections: tougher, toughest
definition 1: hard to break; durable.
These boots have tough soles.
synonyms:
durable, robust, solid, sturdy
antonyms:
delicate, fragile
similar words:
hardy, heavy-duty, infrangible, lasting, sound, staunch, stout, strong, unbreakable, well-made
definition 2: difficult to cut up or chew.
The child could hardly chew the tough meat.
synonyms:
chewy
antonyms:
tender
similar words:
leathery, overdone
definition 3: capable of enduring adversity or hardship.
The tough soldiers continued to fight under horrible conditions.
synonyms:
hardy, resilient, rugged
antonyms:
delicate, soft, weak
similar words:
courageous, doughty, gritty, intrepid, mettlesome, resolute, robust, stout-hearted, strong, vigorous
definition 4: not easily influenced.
The head of the school board is tough on budget issues.
synonyms:
inflexible, unyielding
antonyms:
soft
similar words:
adamant, hard-line, hard-nosed, hardheaded, intractable, obdurate, rigid, stony, stubborn, unbending
definition 5: aggressive; rough; incorrigible.
He came out of jail an even tougher criminal.
synonyms:
aggressive, incorrigible, rough
similar words:
brutal, hardened, mean, vicious, violent
definition 6: difficult to perform or understand.
The reporter was given a tough assignment in the war zone.Physics was a tough class for me.Some questions are tough to answer.
synonyms:
demanding, difficult, hard
antonyms:
easy, snap
similar words:
arduous, complex, formidable, knotty, laborious, robust, rugged, severe, thorny, troublesome
definition 7: harsh; severe.
The desert is a tough climate to live in.Conditions were tough in the camp.
synonyms:
hard, harsh, rigorous
antonyms:
easy, soft
similar words:
bad, brutal, difficult, dire, severe, unpleasant, wicked, wretched
definition 8: (informal) bad; unfortunate.
It's very tough about your dad's accident.
synonyms:
regrettable, unfortunate
similar words:
bad
definition 9: (old-fashioned slang) excellent; fine.
That's a tough car!
synonyms:
cool, wicked
similar words:
cool, excellent, fine, first-rate, super, wonderful
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
 
part of speech: noun
definition: a ruffian; thug.
Don't get too near those toughs on the corner.
synonyms:
ruffian, thug
similar words:
bully, gorilla, hoodlum, hooligan, roughneck, rowdy
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
phrase: tough it out
derivations: toughly (adv.), toughness (n.)
Word Explorer
See
  food, injury