1. to make or become rough or rougher in texture or surface

Examples

• The sandpaper will roughen the wood surface before painting.
• Years of hard work had roughened his hands.
• The wind and salt air roughened her skin.
• Use steel wool to roughen the metal before applying glue.
• His voice roughened with emotion as he spoke.
• The waves roughened as the storm approached.
• Time had roughened the once-smooth stone steps.