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   Tough

   /təf/

   

   adjective

   • 1. (of a substance or object) strong enough to withstand adverse conditions or rough or careless handling: "tough backpacks for climbers" Similar durablestrongresilientresistantsturdyruggedfirmsolidsubstantialsoundstoutindestructibleunbreakablehardrigidstiffinflexibletoughenedhardwearinglong-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: "even at this ripe old age, he's still 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: "she's both sensitive and tough"
   • ▪ involving considerable difficulty or hardship; requiring great determination or effort: "the training has been quite tough" Similar arduousonerousdifficultdemandinghardheavytaxingburdensometiringexhaustingpunishingwearyingfatiguinglaboriousstrenuousexactingtroublesomeformidablestressfulHerculeanrare:toilsomeexigentdifficulthardknottythornybafflingtrickyticklishpricklyperplexingpuzzlingmystifyingtroublesomebothersomeirksomeintractableOpposite easyeasy
   • ▪ used to express sympathy with someone in an unpleasant or difficult situation: "Poor kid. It's tough on her"
   • 3. demonstrating a strict and uncompromising attitude or 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. (of a person) 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 person, especially a gangster or criminal: informal "young toughs sporting their state-of-the-art firearms"

   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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