Meaning & use
Roughly
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Approximately, or in a way that is not exact; also, in a harsh, forceful, or violent manner.
See it in a sentence
The trip takes roughly three hours by car.
He grabbed the rope roughly and pulled it tight.
A note on using this word
The two senses, 'approximately' and 'harshly,' both stem from 'rough,' one describing an imprecise estimate and the other a lack of gentleness.
Words with a similar meaning
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
preciselygently
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