robust

adjective

rō-ˈbəst How to pronounce robust (audio)
Definition of robustnext
1
as in healthy
enjoying health and vigor a robust and sturdy toddler

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in energetic
having active strength of body or mind a robust older man who still bicycles 10 miles a day

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in rich
having an abundance of some characteristic quality (as flavor) beef and other red meats should be accompanied by robust wines

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in strong
not showing weakness or uncertainty a robust slap on the back welcoming me to the company

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word robust distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of robust are hale, healthy, sound, well, and wholesome. While all these words mean "enjoying or indicative of good health," robust implies the opposite of all that is delicate or sickly.

a lively, robust little boy

When would hale be a good substitute for robust?

Although the words hale and robust have much in common, hale applies particularly to robustness in old age.

still hale at the age of eighty

When can healthy be used instead of robust?

The meanings of healthy and robust largely overlap; however, healthy implies full strength and vigor as well as freedom from signs of disease.

a healthy family

When is sound a more appropriate choice than robust?

The words sound and robust are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sound emphasizes the absence of disease, weakness, or malfunction.

a sound heart

When is it sensible to use well instead of robust?

In some situations, the words well and robust are roughly equivalent. However, well implies merely freedom from disease or illness.

she has never been a well person

When might wholesome be a better fit than robust?

The words wholesome and robust can be used in similar contexts, but wholesome implies appearance and behavior indicating soundness and balance.

a face with a wholesome glow

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of robust There were decreases in cities with robust service organizations and some that have leaned more heavily on police. —Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 May 2025 Longbridge stands out for its lower rates and robust digital presence, which includes a reverse mortgage calculator and an easy-to-use servicing portal. —Kelsey Neubauer, CNBC, 20 May 2025 Among Yancey’s rural neighbors, one of the most robust responses to Helene came from McDowell County. —Jennifer Berry Hawes, ProPublica, 19 May 2025 After a robust 2024, the sector is set for even stronger growth this year, with revenues projected to increase by double digits. —Tim Bajarin, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for robust
Recent Examples of Synonyms for robust
  1. healthy
  2. energetic
  3. rich
  4. strong
  5. sturdy
  6. dynamic
  7. potent
  8. solid
Adjective
  • This will enable you to see if the organization is financially healthy.
    — Maayan Aviv, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
  • Gummed up Emulsifiers can be found in foods marketed as natural or healthy as well as ones that look artificial.
    — David Hilzenrath, Miami Herald, 21 May 2025
Definition of healthy
Adjective
  • Host Jennifer Lopez opened the show with an energetic dance number to a medley that included a mashup of songs by Beyoncé, Eilish, Shaboozey, Chappell Roan and more.
    — Alli Rosenbloom, CNN Money, 27 May 2025
  • Rod Stewart, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award, closed out the evening with an energetic performance.
    — Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 26 May 2025
Definition of energetic
Adjective
  • Oklahoma City is rich in First American history and culture, and there are myriad ways to connect with it, from authentic Native American restaurants to attending cultural events and shopping at local businesses.
    — Anne Roderique-Jones, Travel + Leisure, 24 May 2025
  • But the vernacular and ahistorical images are what give the show its rich, tangy flavor.
    — Vince Aletti, New Yorker, 24 May 2025
Definition of rich
Adjective
  • According to research from Everytown for Gun Safety, a nonprofit that advocates for gun control, strong gun control laws are correlated with fewer gun deaths.
    — Elliot Hughes, Journal Sentinel, 13 Jan. 2023
  • This results in a charge imbalance that builds up an electric field strong enough to trigger flashes of lightning.
    — National Geographic, National Geographic, 13 Jan. 2023
Definition of strong
Adjective
  • It’s got all the gaming-friendly extras; HDR support, DP 1.4, HDMI, and a metal stand that actually feels sturdy for once.
    — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 26 May 2025
  • Subscribers can save up to 76 percent on tons of coveted finds for the holiday weekend, including summer fashion, sturdy luggage, and outdoor furniture.
    — Clara McMahon, People.com, 23 May 2025
Definition of sturdy
Adjective
  • Additionally, Canada Post is proposing a dynamic routing model for its urban unit, in which where routes are planned and optimized daily to align workloads, prevent the overburdening of employees with volumes and create more predictable service for customers.
    — Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 23 May 2025
  • Even though he is getting upstaged by Judge just a bit, Crow-Armstrong is having a dynamic season for the Chicago Cubs; one that will probably earn him a healthy contract extension this offseason.
    — Jared Wyllys, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
Definition of dynamic
Adjective
  • Major battlefield victories or changes in Russian politics are the most potent weapons, while sanctions can erode morale and resources.
    — Ken Silverstein, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
  • Now, as President Trump has made challenging the nation’s wealthiest colleges a centerpiece of his second-term agenda, the endowment tax could become a potent weapon.
    — Stephanie Saul, New York Times, 20 May 2025
Definition of potent
Adjective
  • These dildos were solid and made to sit above the pubic bone, custom made to measurements provided by purchasers, who were often men.
    — Mikelle Street, Them., 23 May 2025
  • Per Deadline Hollywood, which first reported the cancellation, viewership for season 3 was still solid but the show slipped out of Nielsen's Top 10 Originals chart quicker than its predecessors, and the decision to cancel ultimately came down to the show's hefty price tag.
    — EW.com, EW.com, 23 May 2025
Definition of solid

Browse Nearby Words

robs
robust
robustious
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Robust.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/robust. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on robust

Nglish: Translation of robust for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Using Bullet Points ( • )

'Bring' vs. 'Take'

Is it 'used to' or 'use to'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language

10 Hella Good U.S. Regionalisms

And So It Begins: 9 Words for Beginnings

Better Ways to Say 'This Sucks'
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
couple-laugh-cafe
Quiz: Foreign Phrases You Should Know Check out your bona fides and avoid any faux pas.
See All