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as in strong
marked by the ability to withstand stress without structural damage or distortion wear sturdy boots because we will be going over sharp rocks and uneven terrain

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of sturdy are stalwart, stout, strong, tenacious, and tough. While all these words mean "showing power to resist or to endure," sturdy implies strength derived from vigorous growth, determination of spirit, solidity of construction.

a sturdy table
people of sturdy independence

When might stalwart be a better fit than sturdy?

While in some cases nearly identical to sturdy, stalwart suggests an unshakable dependability.

stalwart environmentalists

When could stout be used to replace sturdy?

The meanings of stout and sturdy largely overlap; however, stout suggests an ability to endure stress, pain, or hard use without giving way.

stout hiking boots

When is strong a more appropriate choice than sturdy?

The words strong and sturdy are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 is it sensible to use tenacious instead of sturdy?

Although the words tenacious and sturdy have much in common, 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 sturdy?

The words tough and sturdy can be used in similar contexts, but tough implies great firmness and resiliency.

a tough political opponent

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 sturdy Built with a sturdy steel frame and wrapped in durable rattan, it’s designed to handle the elements—from blazing heat to sudden downpours. Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 17 June 2025 For your safety, move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 17 June 2025 Last season in Seattle, Murphy was still more a collection of traits than a sturdy interior presence. Nick Baumgardner, New York Times, 13 June 2025 Uwharrie National Forest About 1 hour and 15 minutes from Charlotte Pack sunscreen, bug spray, sturdy walking shoes, and lots of water and snacks for a day trip to Uwharrie National Forest—one of four national forests in North Carolina—and the Badin Lake Recreation Area. Lydia Mansel, Southern Living, 7 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for sturdy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sturdy
Adjective
  • White Zinnias These hardy flowers from Mexico have had my heart for years; their bold colors simply scream summer.
    Josh Miller, Southern Living, 21 June 2025
  • Even grimmer than this, there's no guarantee that the laws of physics are the same in a baby universe as their parent universe, meaning an unpredictable fate and potentially a messy death for a hardy multinaut able to brave a black hole doorway.
    Robert Lea, Space.com, 21 June 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • 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
Adjective
  • CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen $16 $14 Amazon $17 Ulta On the hunt for a solid drugstore SPF option?
    Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 16 June 2025
  • Meanwhile, a couple of the Panthers’ second-year defensive backs had solid showings.
    Joseph Person, New York Times, 16 June 2025
Adjective
  • A lot of my book is about unlearning the tenets of American work culture, that rugged individualism often translates to just being plain old lonely.
    Maris Kreizman June 20, Literary Hub, 20 June 2025
  • Trent Frederic is another player who brings a rugged style to the game and can play all three forward positions.
    Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 20 June 2025
Adjective
  • The authentic arcade controls are durable and comfortable for intense sessions.
    Simon Hill, Wired News, 26 June 2025
  • The pods themselves are designed to be durable enough to resist ocean corrosion and short circuits, with a lifespan of up to a decade when properly maintained.
    Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 25 June 2025
Adjective
  • The plush pillow is filled with down clusters while the mid-plush and firm contain combination of down clusters and feathers.
    Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 27 June 2025
  • For side sleepers, a bed that is too firm means your hips and shoulders will be crying out for help because of the tension.
    Julia Forbes, Wired News, 27 June 2025
Adjective
  • Former top recruits Roderick Kearney, a stout (6-4, 307) redshirt sophomore able to play guard and center, and towering redshirt freshman tackle Fletcher Westphal (6-8, 336) will push for a spot in the rotation.
    Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 June 2025
  • Unlike last year’s 40-38 thriller, both teams struggled to break into the end zone, with the pouring rain adding an additional challenge beyond the stout defensive play.
    Marcello Rossetti, Boston Herald, 14 June 2025
Adjective
  • Congo is rich in timber, coffee, and cacao as well as minerals, while Rwanda can provide a safe and stable—if authoritarian—base for companies to operate.
    Joshua Z. Walker, Foreign Affairs, 17 June 2025
  • His condition improved overnight to critical but stable, police said.
    Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 17 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sturdy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sturdy. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

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