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Meaning & use

tougher

adjective·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ˈtʌfə/
US/ˈtʌfɚ/

“tougher” is a form of “tough”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.

Meanings

  1. adjectivecomparable

    More difficult or demanding than something else.

    Grammar: Used with than to compare: this test is tougher than the last.

    Patterns

    • tougher than something
    • get tougher

    The second exam was tougher than the first.

    Life got tougher after the factory closed.

    It's a tougher climb than we expected.

  2. adjectivecomparable

    Stronger and better able to stand up to hard wear, rough conditions or pain.

    Grammar: Describes strength in people and things: tougher boots, a tougher player.

    Patterns

    • tougher than something
    • tougher boots

    These boots are tougher than my old pair.

    Years of farm work made her tougher than most people her age.

    This fabric is tougher and resists tears.

  3. adjectivecomparable

    Stricter and less willing to be lenient.

    Grammar: Often used for rules, penalties and attitudes: tougher laws, a tougher stance.

    Patterns

    • tougher on someone
    • tougher laws on something

    The government promised tougher penalties for drunk driving.

    The coach was tougher on the new players than on the veterans.

    Voters want a tougher approach to crime.

  4. adjectivecomparable

    Harder to chew or cut, as with meat.

    Grammar: Describes food texture: the steak was tougher than expected.

    Patterns

    • tougher than something

    The steak was tougher than I'd expected.

    Older vegetables can be tougher and need longer cooking.

    This cut of beef is tougher unless cooked slowly.

Word forms

base formtough
superlativetoughest

Common combinations

tougher than expected
The hike was tougher than expected.
tougher laws
Citizens called for tougher laws on pollution.
tougher stance
The mayor took a tougher stance on parking.
get tougher
Things got tougher for small shops.
tougher on crime
Candidates promised to be tougher on crime.

Synonyms and how they differ

harder
Harder is the everyday word for more difficult, but it does not suggest strength or sternness the way tougher can.
stricter
Stricter only applies to rules and discipline, so it is narrower than tougher.
sturdier
Sturdier describes well-built objects, while tougher can also mean resilient people.
more demanding
More demanding is a formal phrase focused on the effort required.

Opposites

easiersofterweaker

Word family

tough adjective
strong, hard to damage or difficult
toughen verb
to make or become stronger or stricter
toughness noun
the quality of being strong or resilient
toughly adverb
in a strong or firm way
toughest adjective
the most difficult or strongest of three or more

Commonly confused: tougher or through? tougher or thorough?

tougher vs through

Through (preposition) and tough share the ough spelling but sound different: tough rhymes with stuff, and through rhymes with new.

tougher vs thorough

Thorough means complete and careful, as in a thorough check. It is not a comparative and has nothing to do with difficulty.

Practice

This year's schedule is ______ last year's, so we are all more tired.

Make it your own

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