Rough
Rough adjective - Harsh and threatening in manner or appearance.
Usage example: the rough faces of hardened criminals who had spent most of their lives behind bars
Tender
Tender adjective - Not harsh or stern especially in nature or effect.
Usage example: his tender comments on how to improve her writing style were gratefully received
How words are described
| little | little rough | little tender |
Both words in one sentence
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After she gets home from a rough day, they have a very tender moment together, which is only made funnier by his crazy face doodles.
Source: Face Doodling - Contrast the rough and kinky sex between Buffy and a soulless Spike in Season 6, versus their tender bedroom interaction the following season after Spike gets his soul.
Source: Good People Have Good Sex
Cite this Source
Tender and Rough. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 15, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/rough/tender
Rough & Tender. N.p., 2016. Web. 15 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/rough/tender>.
Tender or Rough. 2016. Accessed August 15, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/rough/tender.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "rough" and "tender" have occurred on timeline