Rough path reportedly (6)
I believe the answer is:
coarse
'rough' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)
'path reportedly' is the wordplay.
'path' becomes 'course' (synonyms).
'reportedly' shows a homophone (sound like).
'course' is a homophone of 'COARSE'.
(Other definitions for coarse that I've seen before include "Rough, uncouth" , "Unpolished -- ribald" , "Rude, base" , "gross" , "Rough or crude, lacking refinement" .)