tough

Sense 1 noun

someone who learned to fight in the streets rather than being formally trained in the sport of boxing

Sense 2 adjective

not given to gentleness or sentimentality

a tough character

Sense 3 noun

an aggressive and violent young criminal

Sense 4 adjective

very difficult; severely testing stamina or resolution

a rugged competitive examination

Sense 5 noun

a cruel and brutal fellow

Sense 6 adjective

physically toughened

the tough bottoms of his feet

Sense 7 adjective

substantially made or constructed

sturdy steel shelves

Sense 8 adjective

violent and lawless

the more ruffianly element

Sense 9 adjective

feeling physical discomfort or pain (`tough' is occasionally used colloquially for `bad')

my throat feels bad

Sense 10 adjective

resistant to cutting or chewing

Sense 11 adjective

unfortunate or hard to bear

had hard luck

Sense 12 adjective

making great mental demands; hard to comprehend or solve or believe

a baffling problem