raw deal

noun

: an instance of unfair treatment

Examples of raw deal in a Sentence

these mice are really getting a raw deal: after we're through using them for our science experiment, they get fed to our snake
Recent Examples on the Web But lots of people get raw deals, pick themselves up and get the job done. WSJ, 8 Dec. 2023 Selection Sunday madness March sadness: These bubble teams were snubbed by the committee Good break or raw deal? Richard Morin, USA TODAY, 13 Mar. 2023 That’s a raw deal for someone with your interests and inclinations, but life’s full of raw deals. David E. Petzal, Field & Stream, 27 Nov. 2020 Some of Kenzo’s social media fans say the dog is getting a raw deal. Stephen Hudak, Orlando Sentinel, 21 Feb. 2023 Having been whistled for 16 fouls in the span of three games, each whistle feeling more targeted than the last, Collins was certain officials were giving him a raw deal. Jeff McDonald, San Antonio Express-News, 8 Dec. 2022 Such a solution at least resolves the question of why farming replaced hunting and gathering if the former was such a raw deal in terms of nutrition and overall quality of life, as argued by many anthropologists and economic historians. Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 5 Sep. 2011 Wilks, frankly, got a raw deal in his lone head coaching opportunity, in 2018. Lorenzo Reyes, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2022 The Dolphins got a raw deal when the NFL moved up next week’s game at Buffalo. Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 8 Dec. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'raw deal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1911, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of raw deal was in 1911

Dictionary Entries Near raw deal

Cite this Entry

“Raw deal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/raw%20deal. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

raw deal

noun
: an instance of unfair treatment
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