n. Function: adjective
1
Synonyms: STRONG 2, stalwart, stout, sturdy, tenacious
Related Words: flinty, hard, unyielding; resistant, unbreakable, withstanding
Idioms: tough as leather ( or nails)
Contrasted Words: breakable; brittle; yielding
Antonyms: fragile
2
Synonyms: VISCOUS , tenacious, viscid, viscose
3 advocating a persistently firm course of action FF1C; a tough foreign policy FF1E;
Synonyms: hard-line, inflexible, uncompromising, unyielding
Related Words: stiff, taut; fixed, confirmed, hard-shell, narrow, rigid; arbitrary, immutable, unalterable; hard-boiled, hardened, obdurate; harsh, procrustean, rigorous, severe, strict; drastic
Contrasted Words: liberal, relaxed; compromising, flexible, laissez-faire, yielding
Antonyms: soft
4 having or exhibiting great physical endurance (as to strain, hardship, or labor) FF1C; the rigorous climate created a tough people FF1E;
Synonyms: hardy, rugged d
Related Words: conditioned, hard-bitten, hardened, seasoned, steeled; fit, healthy, lusty, robust, vigorous; stalwart, strong, sturdy
Contrasted Words: delicate, fragile, frail, tender; half-hardy, puny; weakened
Antonyms: weak
5
Synonyms: OBSTINATE , bullheaded, headstrong, intractable, mulish, pertinacious, pigheaded, refractory, self-willed, stubborn
Related Words: hardfisted, hardhanded, hardheaded, tough-minded
6
Synonyms: HARD 6, arduous, difficult, effortful, labored, laborious, strenuous, toilful, toilsome, uphill
Antonyms: soft
7
Synonyms: ONEROUS , burdensome, demanding, exacting, exigent, grievous, oppressive, taxing, trying, weighty
Antonyms: soft
8 frequented by rowdy or criminal elements FF1C; lived in a tough neighborhood FF1E;
Synonyms: bad, rough
Related Words: disorderly, rowdy; dangerous, unsafe; ghetto, inner-city, underprivileged
Contrasted Words: orderly, quiet, safe