raw 1 of 2

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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

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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

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raw

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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

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
Enjoy it raw or lightly steamed with olive oil, salt, and pepper for the most nutrients and best flavor. Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 27 Oct. 2025 The real moat in AI isn’t raw capability. Joel Hron, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2025
Noun
If ingested raw, pathogens may remain on the surface of the placenta. Marley Dewey, The Conversation, 16 May 2025 These ones turn out amazing—topped with sugar in the raw. Bon Appétit Contributor, Bon Appétit, 22 Mar. 2024 See All Example Sentences for raw
Recent Examples of Synonyms for raw
Adjective
  • High-temperature cooking methods such as grilling, broiling, roasting, frying and searing can increase AGE content in food up to 100-fold compared to uncooked versions, according to a 2004 Mount Sinai study that measured AGE content under laboratory conditions.
    Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Refrigerate uncooked cookie dough between batches.
    Robin Miller, AZCentral.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • One of the reasons why gas prices are low is because crude oil prices are low.
    Frank Witsil, Freep.com, 27 Oct. 2025
  • This means exposing the shoulders, showing too much leg above the knees, or wearing clothing with crude or inappropriate imagery.
    Asia London Palomba, Travel + Leisure, 25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • But let’s face it, the Red Wings have looked a bit inexperienced at times so far, too.
    Max Bultman, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
  • The helmers cycle through a year’s worth of seasons for Zhenya and Anatolij Pilipenko, inexperienced farmers who envisioned a new life for themselves and their two young daughters.
    Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The honesty hit home for fans who’ve watched Homa navigate a turbulent stretch.
    Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
  • Whether this week’s series of agreements across Asia marks the start of a broader reset—or a temporary thaw in a turbulent trade landscape—will depend on how these commitments unfold in the months ahead.
    Mayu Saini, Sourcing Journal, 27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • That especially applies to properties linked to some of the city’s most chilling murder cases.
    Chris Lau, CNN Money, 31 Oct. 2025
  • The film provides a chilling look at what could happen if a nuclear missile were launched at the United States.
    Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • But usually the administration official doesn’t fight back in such a biting way.
    David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Over nearly three decades, Baumbach has built a career chronicling families in crisis and artists at the crossroads, his films combining biting wit with an unflinching emotional honesty.
    Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The country faces rampant inflation, widespread shortages, and mass emigration, with over seven million Venezuelans fleeing abroad.
    Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Suddenly, there is rampant competition for places between Emery’s No 10s.
    Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Harmlessly wandering about the village, belly and breasts exposed—at times completely naked—Pagli discomforts established codes of etiquette.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 30 Oct. 2025
  • The emperor was naked, a fool who’d been had.
    Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Raw.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/raw. Accessed 2 Nov. 2025.

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