1
: having a rough uneven surface : jagged
rugged mountains
2
a
: seamed with wrinkles and furrows : weathered
—used of a human face
b
: showing facial signs of strength
rugged good looks
3
a
: presenting a severe test of ability, stamina, or resolution
b
: strongly built or constituted : robust
those that survive are stalwart, rugged men—
L. D. Stamp
L. D. Stamp
ruggedly
adverb
ruggedness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of rugged in a Sentence
the rugged surface of the moon
She did a painting of the region's rugged coastline.
People are attracted to his rugged good looks.
I admire her rugged individualism.
Recent Examples on the Web
The waterfront views are especially captivating, providing a backdrop of rugged coastline and serene harbors.
—Ashley Rossi, USA TODAY, 20 Apr. 2024
She was drawn to the region’s rugged beauty and rural familiarity.
—Maanvi Singh, WIRED, 20 Apr. 2024
In the late 1800s, the young, beautiful women often linked up with the rugged cowboys along the wild frontier, which lacked the single ladies that the East had to offer.
—Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 17 Apr. 2024
From the iconic Route 66 stretching across the heartland to the rugged beauty of the Pacific Coast Highway, the US has no shortage of scenic routes.
—Ashlea Halpern, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Apr. 2024
Two Larger National Monuments: President Biden plans to expand the perimeters of two national monuments in California, protecting mountains and meadows in a remote area between Napa and Mendocino as well as a rugged stretch east of Los Angeles.
—Chris Hamby, New York Times, 16 Apr. 2024
Read More: Fans React to Beyoncé's New Album Cowboy Carter
Once seen as ruffians and pushed to the outskirts of Victorian society, cowboys were reinvented as rugged cultural heroes in the American consciousness in the early 20th century through dime novels, rodeos, movies, and more.
—TIME, 12 Apr. 2024
People from nearby cities, like Milwaukee, Madison, Chicago and the Twin Cities, venture to the rugged area to see the dark night sky, hear the sounds of the forest, and take in the vastness of Lake Superior.
—Caitlin Looby, Journal Sentinel, 10 Apr. 2024
Artemis’s operations will be focused on the moon’s south pole, a region known for its rugged terrain, extreme temperatures and potential for frozen water.
—Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Apr. 2024
Ashley Rossi, USA TODAY, 20 Apr. 2024
She was drawn to the region’s rugged beauty and rural familiarity.
—Maanvi Singh, WIRED, 20 Apr. 2024
In the late 1800s, the young, beautiful women often linked up with the rugged cowboys along the wild frontier, which lacked the single ladies that the East had to offer.
—Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 17 Apr. 2024
From the iconic Route 66 stretching across the heartland to the rugged beauty of the Pacific Coast Highway, the US has no shortage of scenic routes.
—Ashlea Halpern, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Apr. 2024
Two Larger National Monuments: President Biden plans to expand the perimeters of two national monuments in California, protecting mountains and meadows in a remote area between Napa and Mendocino as well as a rugged stretch east of Los Angeles.
—Chris Hamby, New York Times, 16 Apr. 2024
Read More: Fans React to Beyoncé's New Album Cowboy Carter
Once seen as ruffians and pushed to the outskirts of Victorian society, cowboys were reinvented as rugged cultural heroes in the American consciousness in the early 20th century through dime novels, rodeos, movies, and more.
—TIME, 12 Apr. 2024
People from nearby cities, like Milwaukee, Madison, Chicago and the Twin Cities, venture to the rugged area to see the dark night sky, hear the sounds of the forest, and take in the vastness of Lake Superior.
—Caitlin Looby, Journal Sentinel, 10 Apr. 2024
Artemis’s operations will be focused on the moon’s south pole, a region known for its rugged terrain, extreme temperatures and potential for frozen water.
—Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rugged.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near rugged
Cite this Entry
“Rugged.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rugged. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
rugged
adjective
rug·ged
ˈrəg-əd 
1
: having a rough uneven surface
hiking on rugged trails
the rugged surface of the moon
2
: having wrinkles or uneven features
their rugged faces
rugged good looks
3
: having a rough but strong or sturdy character
rugged pioneers
4
: involving hardship : presenting a severe test of physical, mental, or moral strength
a rugged winter
rugged training
the rugged life of a sailor
5
: being strong and tough
rugged enough to stand hard use
ruggedly
adverb
ruggedness
noun
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