strong and durable; not easily broken or cut.

not brittle or tender.

difficult to masticate, as food

a tough steak.

of viscous consistency, as liquid or semiliquid matter

tough molasses.

capable of great endurance; sturdy; hardy

tough troops.

not easily influenced, as a person; unyielding; stubborn

a tough man to work for.

hardened; incorrigible

a tough criminal.

difficult to perform, accomplish, or deal with; hard, trying, or troublesome

a tough problem.

hard to bear or endure (often used ironically)

tough luck.

vigorous; severe; violent

a tough struggle.

vicious; rough; rowdyish

a tough character; a tough neighborhood.

practical, realistic, and lacking in sentimentality; tough-minded.

Slang . remarkably excellent; first-rate; great.

in a tough manner.

a ruffian; rowdy. ?

hang tough

Slang . hang ( def. 56 ) .

tough it out

Informal . to endure or resist hardship or adversity.

noun

austerity , hardness , harshness , rigidity , rigor , rigorousness , sternness , strictness , stringency , decidedness , decisiveness , determination , firmness , purpose , purposefulness , resoluteness , resolution , resolve , will , willpower