1
as in grained
made up of large particles
coarse rock salt was sprinkled on the icy walkway
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in vulgar
lacking in refinement or good taste
the hockey player's coarse manners turned his date off completely
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in obscene
depicting or referring to sexual matters in a way that is unacceptable in polite society
offended by the coarse humor at the celebrity roast
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in hoarse
harsh and dry in sound
a coarse laugh
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in jagged
not having a level or smooth surface
the coarse surface of the sandpaper
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in poor
of low quality
coarse imitations of quality merchandise
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 coarse
Commercial or bulk matcha is often a dull yellowish or brown color, coarse in texture, and noticeably bitter.
—
Devorah Lev-Tov, Vogue, 20 June 2025
The best conditioners for gray hair help with this shift by targeting brassiness and yellow undertones, dullness, and dry or coarse textures.
—Jessie Quinn, Glamour, 11 June 2025
This formula tackles your coarsest body hairs and enriches skin with a conditioning concoction of cocoa and shea butters for a velvety-smooth feel.
—Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 7 May 2025
For more stubborn stains, use a coarse sponge or toothbrush to penetrate the fabric deeper.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 31 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for coarse
Devorah Lev-Tov, Vogue, 20 June 2025
The best conditioners for gray hair help with this shift by targeting brassiness and yellow undertones, dullness, and dry or coarse textures.
—Jessie Quinn, Glamour, 11 June 2025
This formula tackles your coarsest body hairs and enriches skin with a conditioning concoction of cocoa and shea butters for a velvety-smooth feel.
—Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 7 May 2025
For more stubborn stains, use a coarse sponge or toothbrush to penetrate the fabric deeper.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 31 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for coarse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for coarse
Adjective
-
The comics were often dismissed as a vulgar form, but the bad joke of our superhero-movie culture is that most of it is a vulgarization of the comics.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
8 July 2025
-
Nan’s rebellion was never loud or vulgar but always quietly confident and effortlessly elegant.—
Felicity Carter,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
Adjective
-
The use of obscene or profane language, personal attack, libel, slander, defamation, physical violence or the threat thereof, as determined by the presiding officer, shall constitute a disturbing a lawful meeting.—
Sharon Coolidge,
The Enquirer,
3 July 2025
-
Meanwhile, the Astors, who had amassed a nearly obscene amount of real estate in New York City, became the country’s first multimillionaires by smuggling opium.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
3 July 2025
Adjective
-
For most of his first 10 songs, Costello’s singing was ragged and hoarse.—
George Varga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 June 2025
-
Screamed himself hoarse and still tried calling for his brother.—
Maria Morava,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 June 2025
Adjective
-
In a profession that lives at the jagged edge of justice and humanity, showing up matters.—
Sonia Singh,
Rolling Stone,
10 July 2025
-
The end of the branch shows a smooth cut, but the bark layer has a jagged appearance.—
Tim Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
5 July 2025
Adjective
-
Some other discounts may seem impressive on the surface, but have consistently poor ratings or only a few sizes in stock.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
11 July 2025
-
But August is perhaps a poor month in which to rally the staff.—
John Updike,
New Yorker,
11 July 2025
Adjective
-
If lazing on a sandy beach is a requirement for your summer vacation, away from the overpopulated Mediterranean resorts, Spain has a vast coastline that is not only virtually unspoiled but is also relatively undiscovered by tourists from outside Spain.—
Fiona Govan,
CNN Money,
10 July 2025
-
The resort is situated near Playa Linda, a mostly undeveloped and clear sandy beach with blue waters and palm trees.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
8 July 2025
Adjective
-
Brandi Glanville & Lisa Vanderpump (RHOBH) Photo-Illustration: Vulture; Photo: Kelsey McNeal/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images Lisa and Brandi were an odd fit from the start: Brandi, the crass newbie; Lisa Vanderpump, the grande dame of Beverly Hills.—
Eddie Mouradian,
Vulture,
11 June 2025
-
Most Popular Most Popular Asking Eric: The parents refuse to cut their trip short despite their teen’s crisis Asking Eric: The parents refuse to cut their trip short despite their teen's crisis Dear Abby: Is there a way to tell the crass shirttail relations that they’re not invited?—
Nathan Canilao,
Mercury News,
10 May 2025
Adjective
-
With a deep, gruff voice and animus toward humanity, McCarthy was an unusual dance-music star when Nitzer Ebb started notching chart hits.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
12 June 2025
-
Two months ago, the world lost a gruff and burly guitar player named Al Barile.—
Kelefa Sanneh,
New Yorker,
11 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Coarse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/coarse. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share