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tough

From Wiktionary

Pronunciation

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Homophones

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Adjective

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Positive
tough

Comparative
tougher

Superlative
toughest

  1. If something is tough, it is difficult, not easy.
    It's important to stay healthy when the going gets tough.
    It was a tough decision, but I think she make the right choice.
    The weather makes the overall competition tougher.
    The wood was tough to break.
  2. If something is tough, it doesn't change or move easily; it's not soft.
    The government is taking a tough stance on crime.
    The public wants tougher enforcement of these laws.
    The meat was really tough.
    She was a tough, smart businesswoman.
  3. If something is tough, it is not nice to experience.
    He should get the toughest penalty possible for this killing.
  4. If a person is tough, they are strong and may often fight.
    He was an older guy, truly tough with huge arms and a gold cross chain.
    We looked pretty tough on our motorcycles.

Synonyms

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Verb

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Plain form
tough

Third-person singular
toughs

Past tense
toughed

Past participle
toughed

Present participle
toughing

  1. (transitive & intransitive) If you tough something out, it is difficult, but you continue; you don't give up.
    Even though it rained the whole time, they toughed it out without complaining.