17
stalwart(adjective, calm, person, body, strong)
17
unfeeling(noun, adjective, calm, mean, hard)
17
unsympathetic(adjective, mean, hard, cool, severe)
17
vigorous(adjective, strong, sound, fit, smart)
16
brawny(adjective, person, body, strong, vigorous)
16
bully(noun, person, mean, cheat, rough)
16
fibrous(adjective, feature, characteristic, strong, thin)
16
fighter(noun, bad, temper, brave, rebel)
16
muscular(adjective, person, body, strong, sound)
16
steely(adjective, strong, hard, firm, serious)
15
hood(noun, person, mean, attack, slang)
15
scoundrel(noun, bad, temper, brave, rebel)
15
tenacious(adjective, strong, firm, determined, resolute)
15
troublesome(adjective, characteristic, severe, difficulty, difficult)
14
obstinate(adjective, mean, strong, hard, rough)
14
chewy(adjective, feature, characteristic, structure, sinewy)
14
exacting(adjective, dull, hard, easy, severe)
14
hard-boiled(noun, adjective, mean, strong, hard)
14
ruthless(adjective, strong, hard, severe, rough)
14
strict(adjective, strong, hard, easy, severe)
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APASmart Define. (2016). tough thesaurus. Retrieved September 25, 2026, from https://smartdefine.org/tough/thesaurus/synonyms
ChicagoSmart Define. 2016. "tough thesaurus" https://smartdefine.org/tough/thesaurus/synonyms (accessed September 25, 2026).
HarvardSmart Define 2016, tough thesaurus, Smart Define, viewed 25 September, 2026, <https://smartdefine.org/tough/thesaurus/synonyms>.
MLASmart Define. "tough thesaurus" 30 March 2016. Web. 25 September 2026. <https://smartdefine.org/tough/thesaurus/synonyms>