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   tough

   /tʌf/

   adjective

   • 1. (of a substance or object) strong enough to withstand adverse conditions or rough handling: "tough rucksacks for climbers" Similar durablestrongresilientresistantsturdyruggedfirmsolidsubstantialsoundstoutindestructibleunbreakablehardrigidstiffinflexibletoughenedhard-wearinglong-lastingheavy-dutywell builtmade to lastOpposite softfragileflimsy
   • ▪ (of food, especially meat) difficult to cut or chew: "the hastily prepared steak was tough" Similar chewyleatherygristlystringyfibroussinewycartilaginousOpposite tender
   • 2. able to endure hardship or pain: "she was as tough as old boots" Similar resilientstronghardygrittydeterminedresolutedoggedstalwartruggedfitrobustpowerfulred-bloodeddoughtyhardenedcynicalhard-bitteninformal:hard(as) tough as old bootsOpposite weaksentimental
   • ▪ having the confidence and determination to cope in difficult situations: "he liked editors who were tough enough to make the grade"
   • ▪ difficult and requiring determination or effort: "we have six tough matches in a row" Similar arduousonerousdifficultdemandinghardheavytaxingburdensometiringexhaustingpunishingwearyingfatiguinglaboriousstrenuousexactingtroublesomeformidablestressfulHerculeanrare:toilsomeexigentdifficulthardknottythornybafflingtrickyticklishpricklyperplexingpuzzlingmystifyingtroublesomebothersomeirksomeintractableOpposite easyeasy
   • ▪ used to express sympathy with someone in a difficult situation: "Poor kid. It's tough on her"
   • 3. demonstrating a strict and uncompromising approach: "police have been getting tough with drivers" Similar strictsternseverehardharshfirmhard-hittingadamantinflexibleunyieldingunbendinguncompromisingunsentimentalunsympatheticmercilessruthlesscalloushard-hearteduncaringcoldcoolstonystony-heartedflintyinformal:hard-nosedhard-boiledbadassOpposite softlight
   • ▪ used to express a lack of sympathy with someone: "I feel the way I feel, and if you don't like it, tough"
   • 4. strong and prone to violence: "tough young teenagers" Similar roughrowdyunrulydisorderlyviolentwildlawlesslawbreakingcriminalviciouscalloushardened
   • ▪ (of an area) notorious for violence and crime: "a tough part of the town" Similar roughrowdyunrulydisorderlyviolentwildlawlesslawbreakingcriminalviciouscalloushardened

   noun

   • 1. a rough and violent man: informal "a gang of toughs"

   verb

   • 1. endure a period of hardship or difficulty. informal

   Word Origin Old Englishtōh, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch taai and German zäh.

   Derivatives

   • 1. toughish adjective
   • 2. toughly adverb

   Scrabble Points: 9

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