Roughly — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adverb /ˈrə-flē/ rough·ly

Meaning & Definition of Roughly

Roughly (adverb)

  1. in a rough manner
  2. with harshness or violence
  3. in crude fashion, imperfectly

Roughly (adverb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. close to but not exactly

    "roughly 80% of the country's population is of that faith"

    similar: about, approximately, around, like, more or less, much, near, plus or minus, say, some, after a fashion, somewhere about, somewhere around
    related: generally, kind of, loosely, nearly, nominally, practically, virtually, well-nigh
    opposite: exactly, precisely
    near: due, even, just, sharp, smack-dab, squarely

  2. in a manner so as to cause loss or suffering

    "if you treat the machine roughly, it will of course break"

    similar: brutally, hard, hardly, harshly, ill, oppressively, severely, sternly, stiffly
    related: callously, cold-bloodedly, hard-heartedly, heartlessly, inhumanely, inhumanly, insensately, insensitively, mercilessly, obdurately, pitilessly, ruthlessly, tyrannically, uncharitably, unfeelingly, unmercifully, unsparingly, abusively, brutishly, savagely, viciously, aggressively, assertively, decidedly, determinedly, firmly, grimly, gruffly, resolutely, strongly, toughly
    opposite: clemently, gently, leniently, lightly, mildly, softly
    near: benevolently, benignantly, considerately, cordially, graciously, kindly, lovingly, tenderly, charitably, compassionately, humanely, mercifully, softheartedly, sympathetically, tolerantly, understandingly

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Roughly

The most common words with a similar meaning to Roughly:

about, approximately, around, like, more or less, much, near, plus or minus, say, some, brutally, hard, hardly, harshly, ill, oppressively, severely, sternly, stiffly, after a fashion, somewhere about, somewhere around

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Roughly

Words with the opposite meaning of Roughly:

exactly, precisely, clemently, gently, leniently, lightly, mildly, softly

Related Words for Roughly

generally, kind of, loosely, nearly, nominally, practically, virtually, well-nigh, callously, cold-bloodedly, hard-heartedly, heartlessly, inhumanely, inhumanly, insensately, insensitively, mercilessly, obdurately, pitilessly, ruthlessly, tyrannically, uncharitably, unfeelingly, unmercifully, unsparingly, abusively, brutishly, savagely, viciously, aggressively

Near Antonyms of Roughly

due, even, just, sharp, smack-dab, squarely, benevolently, benignantly, considerately, cordially, graciously, kindly, lovingly, tenderly, charitably, compassionately, humanely, mercifully, softheartedly, sympathetically, tolerantly, understandingly

Origin & Etymology of Roughly

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Roughly

Frequently Asked Questions about Roughly

What does "Roughly" mean?

"Roughly" means in a rough manner. As an adverb, it is defined as: in a rough manner. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Roughly"?

Other words for "Roughly" include about, approximately, around, like, more or less, much, near and plus or minus. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Roughly" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Roughly"?

There are 61 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Roughly". Common alternatives include about, approximately, around, like, more or less, much, near, plus or minus, say and some.

What is the opposite of "Roughly"?

Antonyms of "Roughly" include exactly, precisely, clemently, gently, leniently, lightly, mildly and softly. Near antonyms include due, even, just and sharp.

How do you use "Roughly" in a sentence?

Examples of "Roughly" in a sentence: "roughly 80% of the country's population is of that faith"; "if you treat the machine roughly, it will of course break".

Is "Roughly" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Roughly" is an adverb.

Is "Roughly" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Roughly" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Roughly"?

"Roughly" is pronounced /ˈrə-flē/ and divided into syllables as rough·ly.