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1. Dictionary

   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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2. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishTOUGH | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

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   TOUGH definition: 1. strong; not easily broken or made weaker: 2. of a person, able to deal with difficult…. Learn more.

3. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › toughTough Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › tough

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   The meaning of TOUGH is difficult to accomplish, resolve, endure, or deal with. How to use tough in a sentence. Synonym Discussion of Tough.

4. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › toughTough - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms - Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › tough

   Tough means "strong, hard, unbending," and you can use it to describe many different things, like a tough exam, or a tough piece of beef jerky, or a tough day that you just want to be over. If a judge punishes criminals harshly to set examples, she's "tough on crime."

5. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › englishTOUGH definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

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   If you describe someone as tough, you mean that they are rough and violent. He had shot three people dead, earning himself a reputation as a tough guy. Synonyms: violent, rough, vicious, ruthless More Synonyms of tough. A tough is a tough person. Three burly toughs elbowed their way to the front.

6. www.thefreedictionary.com › toughTough - definition of tough by The Free Dictionary

   www.thefreedictionary.com › tough

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   1. Able to withstand great strain without tearing or breaking; strong and resilient: a tough all-weather fabric. 2. Hard to cut or chew: tough meat. 3. a. Physically hardy; rugged: tough mountaineers; a tough cop. b. Strong-minded; resolute: a tough negotiator. 4. a. Aggressive; pugnacious. b.

7. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › englishtough adjective - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › english

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   having or causing problems or difficulties. a tough childhood. It was a tough decision to make. During the interview I was asked some really tough questions. Now Karen must make one of the toughest choices of her life. She's been having a tough time of it (= a lot of problems) lately. Times are tough at the moment. We've got a tough fight ahead.

8. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › learner-englishTOUGH | meaning - Cambridge Learner's Dictionary - Cambridge ...

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › learner-english

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   difficult: He's had a tough time at work recently. We've had to make some tough decisions. Fewer examples. It was a tough election, but they held onto their majority. It's tough for any woman who wants to get ahead in politics. It'll be tough to beat them. They're a very good team.

9. www.oed.com › dictionary › tough_adjtough, adj. & n. meanings, etymology and more - Oxford English ...

   www.oed.com › dictionary › tough_adj

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   There are 21 meanings listed in OED's entry for the word tough, three of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

10. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english-wordTOUGH - Find out everything about this English word | Collins

    www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english-word

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    Definitions of 'tough'. 1. A tough person is strong and determined, and can tolerate difficulty or suffering. [...] 2. If you describe someone as tough, you mean that they are rough and violent. [...] 2. A tough is a tough person.

11. www.yourdictionary.com › toughTough Definition & Meaning - YourDictionary

    www.yourdictionary.com › tough

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    Tough definition: Able to withstand great strain without tearing or breaking; strong and resilient.