diamond in the rough
noun phrase
: one having exceptional qualities or potential but lacking refinement or polish
Examples of diamond in the rough in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
So perhaps the Browns want to find a diamond in the rough.
—
Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2026
Who could be general manager Brian Gutekunst’s next diamond in the rough?
—Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 18 Apr. 2026
At 10412 Sheldon Road in Elk Grove — about 20 miles south of Sacramento — Cook and her family saw a diamond in the rough.
—David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 13 Dec. 2025
The goal is to elect a handful of independent candidates to the House of Representatives in 2026, using AI to identify districts where independents could succeed and uncover diamond in the rough candidates.
—Barbara Sprunt, NPR, 1 Dec. 2025
Colorado, hoping for a diamond in the rough, selected him with the 1,143rd overall pick.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 24 Nov. 2025
Running back Cam Skattebo, a fourth-round draft pick in April out of Arizona State University, emerged as a diamond in the rough for the New York Giants before a severe ankle injury this past Sunday ended his season.
—Robert Marvi, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
Relay is the diamond in the rough that film fans are looking for this time of year.
—Scott Phillips, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
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Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2026
Who could be general manager Brian Gutekunst’s next diamond in the rough?
—Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 18 Apr. 2026
At 10412 Sheldon Road in Elk Grove — about 20 miles south of Sacramento — Cook and her family saw a diamond in the rough.
—David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 13 Dec. 2025
The goal is to elect a handful of independent candidates to the House of Representatives in 2026, using AI to identify districts where independents could succeed and uncover diamond in the rough candidates.
—Barbara Sprunt, NPR, 1 Dec. 2025
Colorado, hoping for a diamond in the rough, selected him with the 1,143rd overall pick.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 24 Nov. 2025
Running back Cam Skattebo, a fourth-round draft pick in April out of Arizona State University, emerged as a diamond in the rough for the New York Giants before a severe ankle injury this past Sunday ended his season.
—Robert Marvi, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
Relay is the diamond in the rough that film fans are looking for this time of year.
—Scott Phillips, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Diamond in the rough.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diamond%20in%20the%20rough. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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