20+ Synonyms for Tough & Similar Words
Definition of tough
- adjective
- not given to gentleness or sentimentality; "a tough character"
- very difficult; severely testing stamina or resolution; "a rugged competitive examination"; "the rugged conditions of frontier life"; "the competition was tough"; "it's a tough life"; "it was a tough job"
- physically toughened; "the tough bottoms of his feet"
20 synonyms found
Writing tips for "tough"
Choosing the right synonym depends on context, tone, and audience. Words like bad, bully, calloused can replace "tough" depending on the shade of meaning you need. In poetry and songwriting, swapping synonyms lets you match a rhyme scheme or meter without changing your meaning. In prose, varying your word choice avoids repetition and keeps readers engaged.
With 20 alternatives available, "tough" gives you flexibility across registers — from formal to casual, from literary to conversational. Try pairing these synonyms with our rhyme finder to discover words that both mean and sound like what you need.
"Tough" in song lyrics
See how tough is used in real songs:
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"He thought that he was bad, he thought he was tough"
2 Live Crew — Check it Out Y'all -
"cause brothers got it real tough"
51.50 — Games People Play -
"well remember how the whole crew used to hang tough"
Aceyalone — Makeba
Frequently asked questions
- What are synonyms for tough?
- Synonyms for tough include: bad, bully, calloused, cartilaginous, chewy, difficult, fibrous, goon, gristly, hard, and 10 more.
- How many synonyms does tough have?
- Tough has 20 synonyms.