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Some common synonyms of raw<\/em> are crude<\/em><\/a>, rough<\/em><\/a>, and rude<\/em><\/a>. While all these words mean \"lacking in social refinement,\" raw<\/em> suggests being untested, inexperienced, or unfinished.<\/p>

\/\/ turning raw<\/em> youths into polished performers<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When might 'crude' be a better fit than 'raw'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The words crude<\/em><\/a> and raw<\/em> can be used in similar contexts, but crude<\/em> may apply to thought or behavior limited to the gross, the obvious, or the primitive.<\/p>

\/\/ a crude<\/em> joke<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When could 'rough' be used to replace 'raw'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The meanings of rough<\/em><\/a> and raw<\/em> largely overlap; however, rough<\/em> is likely to stress lack of polish and gentleness.<\/p>

\/\/ rough<\/em> manners<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When is 'rude' a more appropriate choice than 'raw'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The words rude<\/em><\/a> and raw<\/em> are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, rude<\/em> implies ignorance of or indifference to good form; it may suggest intentional discourtesy.<\/p>

\/\/ rude<\/em> behavior<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How does the adjective 'raw' differ from other similar words?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

Some common synonyms of raw<\/em> are crude<\/em><\/a>, rough<\/em><\/a>, and rude<\/em><\/a>. While all these words mean \"lacking in social refinement,\" raw<\/em> suggests being untested, inexperienced, or unfinished.<\/p>

\/\/ turning raw<\/em> youths into polished performers<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When might 'crude' be a better fit than 'raw'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The words crude<\/em><\/a> and raw<\/em> can be used in similar contexts, but crude<\/em> may apply to thought or behavior limited to the gross, the obvious, or the primitive.<\/p>

\/\/ a crude<\/em> joke<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When could 'rough' be used to replace 'raw'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The meanings of rough<\/em><\/a> and raw<\/em> largely overlap; however, rough<\/em> is likely to stress lack of polish and gentleness.<\/p>

\/\/ rough<\/em> manners<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When is 'rude' a more appropriate choice than 'raw'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The words rude<\/em><\/a> and raw<\/em> are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, rude<\/em> implies ignorance of or indifference to good form; it may suggest intentional discourtesy.<\/p>

\/\/ rude<\/em> behavior<\/p>" } } ] }

raw 1 of 2

adjective

ˈrȯ How to pronounce raw (audio)
Definition of rawnext
1
as in uncooked
not cooked you should wash your hands after handling raw chicken

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in crude
being such as found in nature and not altered by processing or refining raw sugar is honey-colored because the crystals retain cane juices, minerals, and other impurities that haven't been refined out

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in inexperienced
lacking in adult experience or maturity recruiters like to say the military turns raw youths into responsible men and women

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in turbulent
marked by wet and windy conditions the day of the funeral turned out to be one of those bleak, blustery, raw winter days that was as gloomy as our spirits

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in chilling
uncomfortably cool evenings in those mountains, even during the summer, tend to be a little raw

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in biting
causing intense discomfort to one's skin bundle up if you're going sailing, as there's a raw wind out there in the bay

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in rampant
showing no signs of being under control a frightening display of raw anger

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in naked
lacking or shed of clothing a pristine stretch of sand where beachgoers commonly sunbathe raw

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

raw

2 of 2

noun

as in nudity
the state of having no clothes on one's body a secluded swimming hole where we could swim in the raw

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective raw differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of raw are crude, rough, and rude. While all these words mean "lacking in social refinement," raw suggests being untested, inexperienced, or unfinished.

turning raw youths into polished performers

When might crude be a better fit than raw?

The words crude and raw can be used in similar contexts, but crude may apply to thought or behavior limited to the gross, the obvious, or the primitive.

a crude joke

When could rough be used to replace raw?

The meanings of rough and raw largely overlap; however, rough is likely to stress lack of polish and gentleness.

rough manners

When is rude a more appropriate choice than raw?

The words rude and raw are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, rude implies ignorance of or indifference to good form; it may suggest intentional discourtesy.

rude behavior

How does the adjective raw differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of raw are crude, rough, and rude. While all these words mean "lacking in social refinement," raw suggests being untested, inexperienced, or unfinished.

turning raw youths into polished performers

When might crude be a better fit than raw?

The words crude and raw can be used in similar contexts, but crude may apply to thought or behavior limited to the gross, the obvious, or the primitive.

a crude joke

When could rough be used to replace raw?

The meanings of rough and raw largely overlap; however, rough is likely to stress lack of polish and gentleness.

rough manners

When is rude a more appropriate choice than raw?

The words rude and raw are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, rude implies ignorance of or indifference to good form; it may suggest intentional discourtesy.

rude behavior

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of raw
Adjective
In raw terms, West Ham remain on a strong run of form under Nuno. —Mark Carey, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2026 Meanwhile, 11 eateries received citations for health code violations including pink slime, using a household-grade rice cooker and improperly thawing raw baby octopus. —Sacbee.com, 20 Mar. 2026
Noun
This, then, was Oasis in the raw, a throwback to their unstoppable ascent in much smaller venues than this rather than the enormo-dome gigs of their latter years. —Mark Sutherland, Variety, 4 July 2025 Lina is played by the ghoulishly-great Betty Gilpin, who does in her craft what real-life Lina does in her soul—glitter in the raw. —Denise Petski, Deadline, 4 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for raw
Recent Examples of Synonyms for raw
  1. uncooked
  2. inexperienced
  3. turbulent
  4. chilling
  5. biting
  6. rampant
  7. naked
  8. nudity
Adjective
  • Some people prefer the uncooked version of the vegetable.
    — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 14 Mar. 2026
  • The price of uncooked ground beef has increased about 15% since February 2025, according to the CPI data.
    — Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 11 Mar. 2026
Definition of uncooked
Adjective
  • Don José is an inexperienced Spanish soldier who falls in love with the seductive Gypsy, Carmen.
    — Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026
  • Dangerous rip currents are expected at regional beaches, prompting officials to warn against swimming, especially for inexperienced swimmers.
    — Joaquin Palomino, San Francisco Chronicle, 14 Mar. 2026
Definition of inexperienced
Adjective
  • The relationship, while turbulent, continued, and Paul announced her pregnancy in September.
    — Rachel Treisman, NPR, 20 Mar. 2026
  • And in September, three flight attendants also suffered minor injuries during a turbulent Delta flight from Ecuador to Atlanta.
    — Jay Ganglani, NBC news, 20 Mar. 2026
Definition of turbulent
Adjective
  • Researchers in France made a chilling discovery earlier this year, finding skeletons buried in a seated position during an excavation at a school.
    — Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 20 Mar. 2026
  • Such tactics have a chilling effect that could make people less inclined to come to court or serve as witnesses, critics say.
    — Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026
Definition of chilling
Adjective
  • Much like the days getting longer and the air less biting, a sure harbinger that spring is coming is the 33rd annual West Suburban Irish St. Patrick’s Day Parade in downtown Naperville.
    — Annie Alleman, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026
  • As the nation bonded as one over the past two weeks biting nails, screaming at wins, wincing at crashes and choking up at all the beautiful moments of Olympic competition, another group of athletes were – and still are – out honing their multi-level championship skills.
    — Moira McCarthy, Boston Herald, 25 Feb. 2026
Definition of biting
Adjective
  • There is no rampant cheating or election fraud in California.
    — Mark Z. Barabak, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2026
  • Last week, aldermen voted 30-18 to freeze the ordinance’s implementation, citing rampant concerns from many restaurant owners that the hikes were significantly harming their businesses.
    — Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026
Definition of rampant
Adjective
  • Head outside tonight and drink in the sight of the Pleiades open star cluster glistening close to the red star Aldebaran in the constellation Taurus, before the mesmerizing naked-eye jewel slips out of view with the changing of the seasons.
    — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 24 Mar. 2026
  • Not only naked but barefoot, too.
    — Agnieszka Szpila, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
Definition of naked
Noun
  • Creator and host Eric André took the late-night talk show, a TV genre with all-too-familiar conventions, and twisted it beyond recognition with harrowing celebrity interviews, person-on-the-street stunts, jump-scare pranks, and gratuitous nudity.
    — Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2026
  • Crawford discussed her free-spirited attitude toward nudity in a 2019 interview with Net-a-Porter while talking about appearing naked in a photography book.
    — Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 13 Mar. 2026
Definition of nudity

Phrases Containing raw

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ravishments
raw
rawboned
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Cite this Entry

“Raw.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/raw. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of raw for Spanish Speakers

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