- Main Entry:
- strong
- Pronunciation:
-
\ˈstrȯŋ\
- Function:
- adjective
- Inflected Form(s):
- stron·ger \ˈstrȯŋ-gər also -ər\; stron·gest \ˈstrȯŋ-gəst also -əst\
- Etymology:
- Middle English, from Old English strang; akin to Old High German strengi strong, Latin stringere to bind tight — more at strain
- Date:
- before 12th century
1: having or marked by great physical power2: having moral or intellectual power3: having great resources (as of wealth or talent)4: of a specified number <an army ten thousand strong>5 a: striking or superior of its kind <a strong resemblance> b: effective or efficient especially in a specified direction <strong on watching other people work — A. Alvarez>6: forceful, cogent <strong evidence> <strong talk>7: not mild or weak : extreme, intense: as a: rich in some active agent <strong beer> bof a color : high in chroma c: ionizing freely in solution <strong acids and bases> d: magnifying by refracting greatly <a strong lens> 8obsolete : flagrant9: moving with rapidity or force <a strong wind>10: ardent, zealous <a strong supporter>11 a: not easily injured or disturbed : solid b: not easily subdued or taken <a strong fort>12: well established : firm <strong beliefs>13: not easily upset or nauseated <a strong stomach>14: having an offensive or intense odor or flavor : rank <strong breath>15: tending to steady or higher prices <a strong market>16: of, relating to, or being a verb that is inflected by a change in the root vowel (as strive, strove, striven) rather than by regular affixation
— strong adverb
—
strong·ish \ˈstrȯŋ-ish\ adjective —
strong·ly \ˈstrȯŋ-lē\ adverb synonyms strong,
stout,
sturdy,
stalwart,
tough,
tenacious mean showing power to resist or to endure.
strong may imply power derived from muscular vigor, large size, structural soundness, intellectual or spiritual resources
<strong arms> <the defense has a strong case>.
stout suggests an ability to endure stress, pain, or hard use without giving way
<stout hiking boots>.
sturdy implies strength derived from vigorous growth, determination of spirit, solidity of construction
<a sturdy table> <people of sturdy independence>.
stalwart suggests an unshakable dependability
<stalwart environmentalists>.
tough implies great firmness and resiliency
<a tough political opponent>.
tenacious suggests strength in seizing, retaining, clinging to, or holding together
<tenacious farmers clinging to an age-old way of life>.
