tougher

Adjective

tough (comparative tougher, superlative toughest)

1. Of a material, strong and resilient; sturdy.
   • The tent, made of tough canvas, held up to many abuses.

   Synonyms:

   robust, stout, adamantine, concrete, firm, granitic, grim, hard, inflexible, lithic

2. Of food, difficult to cut or chew.
   • To soften a tough cut of meat, the recipe suggested simmering it for hours.

   Synonyms:

   unchewable

3. (figuratively) Of a person or animal, rugged or physically hardy.
   • Only a tough species will survive in the desert.

   Synonyms:

   hardy, robust, vigorous

4. (figuratively) Of a person, stubborn or persistent; capable of stubbornness or persistence.
   • He had a reputation as a tough negotiator.

   Synonyms:

   hardheaded, tenacious, adamant, ardent, grim, untiring, bent on, bloody-minded, bullheaded, certain

5. (informal) Of weather, harsh or severe.

   Synonyms:

   inclement

6. (figuratively) Rowdy or rough.
   • A bunch of the tough boys from the wrong side of the tracks threatened him.

   Synonyms:

   disorderly, unruly

See all 15 meanings of tough