Synonyms of strong

strong

adjective

ˈstrȯŋ 

1

as in muscular

having muscles capable of exerting great physical force

I need some strong people to help me move furniture

Synonyms & Similar Words

• muscular
• powerful
• mighty
• rugged
• stout
• sturdy
• masculine
• sinewy
• stalwart
• tough
• brawny
• athletic
• potent
• hard
• forceful
• energetic
• healthy
• robust
• vigorous
• fit
• forcible
• trim
• strengthened
• beefy
• virile
• husky
• burly
• sound
• puissant
• energized
• lusty
• strapping
• vitalized
• hearty
• able-bodied
• hale
• toughened
• invigorated
• inured
• red-blooded

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• weak
• feeble
• delicate
• frail
• disabled
• wimpy
• small
• paralyzed
• incapacitated
• powerless
• weakling
• impotent
• slight
• unhealthy
• puny
• unfit
• unathletic

2

as in powerful

having great power or influence

a time when the country needs a strong leader

Synonyms & Similar Words

• powerful
• influential
• significant
• important
• potent
• prominent
• mighty
• heavy
• senior
• heavy-duty
• outstanding
• top
• great
• distinguished
• capable
• puissant
• dominant
• effective
• robust
• efficient
• able
• competent
• high-level
• famous
• notable
• celebrated
• vigorous
• renowned
• dynamic
• noteworthy
• notorious
• prestigious
• illustrious
• energetic
• authoritarian
• eminent
• autocratic
• forceful
• famed
• despotic
• tyrannical
• noble
• dictatorial
• magisterial
• high-powered
• preeminent

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• weak
• little
• insignificant
• powerless
• helpless
• unimportant
• feeble
• impotent
• flimsy
• frail
• infirm
• unknown
• anonymous
• obscure
• incapable
• ineffective
• nameless
• incompetent
• unfit
• unskilled
• unqualified
• inept
• uncelebrated
• unskillful
• inexpert

3

as in sturdy

able to withstand hardship, strain, or exposure

the doctor soon declared her strong enough to go home from the hospital

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sturdy
• hardy
• tough
• stout
• vigorous
• rugged
• hardened
• durable
• robust
• healthy
• hard
• staunch
• cast-iron
• permanent
• stable
• thriving
• toughened
• resilient
• hard-bitten
• lasting
• tenacious
• inured
• muscular
• enduring
• stalwart
• unyielding
• flinty
• everlasting
• immortal
• leathery
• staying
• fortified
• virile
• flourishing
• tempered
• imperishable
• prospering
• brawny
• sound
• fit
• husky
• lusty
• seasoned
• hale
• able-bodied
• strapping
• annealed
• red-blooded

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• weak
• soft
• delicate
• tender
• weakened
• worn
• wasted
• enfeebled
• fragile
• diseased
• exhausted
• unsound
• emasculated
• sensitive
• debilitated
• infirm
• vulnerable
• frail
• susceptible
• crippled
• puny
• incapacitated
• nonhardy
• temporary
• sapped
• enervated
• transient
• yielding
• run-down
• worn-out
• resistless
• mortal
• perishable
• unresistant

4

as in spicy

having a powerfully stimulating odor or flavor

the garlic in the sauce is almost too strong

that's mighty strong perfume you're wearing

Synonyms & Similar Words

• spicy
• pungent
• tangy
• sharp
• delicious
• acidic
• hot
• acid
• nippy
• harsh
• peppery
• aromatic
• piquant
• acrid
• exciting
• acute
• bitter
• provocative
• zesty
• putrid
• keen
• energizing
• tart
• tasty
• flavorful
• rancid
• zingy
• delectable
• appetizing
• rank
• palatable
• invigorating
• skunky
• savory
• galvanizing
• animating
• gingery
• toothsome
• redolent

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• mild
• smooth
• soft
• bland
• gentle
• ripe
• aged
• mellow
• weak
• flat
• thin
• insipid
• dilute
• tasteless
• watery
• flavorless
• zestless
• savorless

5

as in rich

having an abundance of some characteristic quality (as flavor)

strong coffee

Synonyms & Similar Words

• rich
• robust
• potent
• big
• concentrated
• muscular
• full
• heady
• lusty
• plush
• full-bodied
• heavy
• fortified
• undiluted
• unmixed
• straight
• enriched
• high-octane
• high-test

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• weak
• thin
• mild
• light
• delicate
• weakened
• thinned
• dilute
• diluted
• watery
• watered-down

6

as in ripe

having an unpleasant smell

the dog's strong breath nearly bowled me over

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ripe
• stinking
• foul
• funky
• disgusting
• rotted
• stinky
• filthy
• rotting
• rotten
• bad
• malodorous
• reeking
• fusty
• dirty
• musty
• smelly
• fetid
• rank
• nasty
• noisome
• reeky
• frowsty
• frowsy
• vile
• repulsive
• offensive
• putrid
• stenchy
• spoiled
• revolting
• stale
• decayed
• rancid
• decaying
• skunky
• noxious
• decomposed
• spoiling
• odorous
• odoriferous
• decomposing
• odiferous

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• sweet
• aromatic
• fragrant
• scented
• savory
• perfumed
• redolent
• ambrosial
• spicy
• woodsy
• flowery
• fruity

7

as in compelling

having the power to persuade

made a strong argument for starting school an hour later each day

Synonyms & Similar Words

• compelling
• convincing
• conclusive
• valid
• persuasive
• effective
• decisive
• satisfying
• forceful
• cogent
• definitive
• authoritative
• telling
• important
• significant
• sound
• relevant
• pertinent
• well-founded
• weighty
• material

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ineffective
• inconclusive
• unconvincing
• shaky
• indecisive
• unfounded
• invalid
• insignificant
• unsound
• weak
• groundless
• unimportant
• unpersuasive
• irrelevant
• uncompelling
• feeble
• inconsequential
• immaterial

8

as in stable

marked by the ability to withstand stress without structural damage or distortion

buildings strong enough to withstand an earthquake

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sturdy
• stable
• durable
• sound
• reliable
• stalwart
• dependable
• fast
• solid
• firm
• bombproof
• tough
• unbreakable
• cohesive
• beefy
• irrefragable
• infrangible

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• weak
• unstable
• rickety
• unsteady
• unsound
• insecure
• infirm
• shaky
• unbalanced
• wobbly
• unsubstantial
• tottering
• tottery

9

as in solid

not showing weakness or uncertainty

a strong belief in the value of hard work

Synonyms & Similar Words

• solid
• sturdy
• vigorous
• firm
• robust
• powerful
• tough
• stout
• forceful
• iron
• mighty
• lusty
• hearty
• hard
• lively
• brisk
• confident
• energetic
• unyielding
• spirited
• ironclad
• vital
• vivacious
• perky
• certain
• sprightly
• secure
• frisky
• animated
• peppy
• springy
• jazzy
• jaunty
• sure
• assured
• sanguine
• zippy
• sprightful

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• weak
• uncertain
• feeble
• fragile
• frail
• limp
• listless
• spiritless
• insecure
• diffident
• weakened
• wimpy
• spineless
• characterless
• effete
• self-doubting
• wishy-washy
• weak-kneed

Synonym Chooser

How is the word strong different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of strong are stalwart, stout, sturdy, tenacious, and tough. While all these words 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

When might stalwart be a better fit than strong?

The meanings of stalwart and strong largely overlap; however, stalwart suggests an unshakable dependability.

stalwart environmentalists

When would stout be a good substitute for strong?

The words stout and strong can be used in similar contexts, but stout suggests an ability to endure stress, pain, or hard use without giving way.

stout hiking boots

When is it sensible to use sturdy instead of strong?

The words sturdy and strong are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sturdy implies strength derived from vigorous growth, determination of spirit, solidity of construction.

a sturdy table

people of sturdy independence

Where would tenacious be a reasonable alternative to strong?

In some situations, the words tenacious and strong are roughly equivalent. However, tenacious suggests strength in seizing, retaining, clinging to, or holding together.

tenacious farmers clinging to an age-old way of life

In what contexts can tough take the place of strong?

Although the words tough and strong have much in common, tough implies great firmness and resiliency.

a tough political opponent

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of strong

In the second quarter of 2026, L’Oréal’s Professional Products division, which includes the L’Oréal Professionnel brand, was key to bolstering the group’s strong growth overall. — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 2 Oct. 2026

She’s praised for her strong sense of story, as well as her grasp of power politics. — Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 2 Oct. 2026

Plenty of builders who got burned in the 2008-09 financial crisis never made a strong comeback. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 2 Oct. 2026

The authors have requested more telescope time to further study Beta Pictoris b and perhaps unlock some of its puzzles, such as why the planet’s magnetic field is so strong. — Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2026

Phrases Containing strong

• strong drink
• strong suit