tough

Difficult to do, understand, or deal with.

• That is a tough question.
• We had to make some tough decisions.
• Finding work proved tougher than she expected.

How to use it: tough to do something (This question is tough to answer.)

Similar words: difficult, hard, demanding

Opposites: easy

Common phrases: tough decision, tough question, tough job

Firm and strict, and unwilling to change or allow exceptions.

• The school has tough rules.
• She takes a tough stance on cheating.
• The new manager is tougher on late arrivals.

How to use it: tough on someone/something (The school is tough on bullying.)

Similar words: strict, firm, uncompromising

Opposites: lenient

Common phrases: tough stance, tough rules, tough on crime

Physically strong and able to face pain or fights without fear.

• My brother is a tough guy.
• She is tougher than she looks.
• The fighters were tough, but they treated us kindly.

Similar words: strong, hardy

Opposites: weak

Common phrases: tough guy, tough fighter, tough person

Unpleasant to experience because it causes pain, worry, or hardship.

• Life was tough after the factory closed.
• They faced a tough winter without heating.
• The judge gave him a tough prison sentence.

Similar words: harsh, hard

Opposites: gentle

Common phrases: tough life, tough punishment, tough treatment

Strong enough to resist damage, breaking, or wearing out.

• These boots are made of tough leather.
• We need a tough fabric for the tent.
• The plastic is tough enough to survive a fall.

Similar words: strong, durable, sturdy

Opposites: fragile

Common phrases: tough leather, tough material, tough fabric

Food that is difficult to cut or chew.

• The meat is tough.
• My steak was too tough to eat.
• Cooking it slowly can make a tough cut softer.

Similar words: chewy

Opposites: tender

Common phrases: tough meat, tough steak, tough beef

Said to show that you do not care about someone’s problem or complaint.

• You missed your turn? Tough!
• If you do not like the rules, tough!
• You wanted a bigger room? Well, tough!

Similar words: too bad

Common phrases: well tough, tough luck

A person who uses threats or violence to get what they want.

• A local tough demanded our money.
• The owner hired two toughs to guard the door.
• Several street toughs threatened the shopkeeper.

Similar words: thug, bully

Common phrases: local tough, hired tough, street tough