sturdy

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adjective

Definition of STURDY

1

able to withstand hardship, strain, or exposure <it took a sturdy person to endure the life of a pioneer>

Synonyms cast-iron, hard, hard-bitten, hardened, inured, rugged, stout, strong, sturdy, tough, toughened, vigorous

Related Words flinty, leathery, resilient, stalwart; durable, enduring, everlasting, immortal, imperishable, lasting, permanent, stable, staunch (also stanch), staying, tenacious, unyielding; flourishing, prospering, thriving; able-bodied, brawny, muscular; fit, fortified, hale, healthy, husky, lusty, red-blooded, robust, sound, strapping, virile; annealed, seasoned, tempered

Near Antonyms emasculated, enervated, enfeebled, exhausted, run-down, sapped, wasted, weakened, worn, worn out; crippled, debilitated, diseased, incapacitated, infirm, unsound; fragile, frail, puny; resistless, sensitive, susceptible, unresistant, vulnerable, yielding; mortal, perishable, temporary, transient

Antonyms delicate, nonhardy, soft, tender, weak

2

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 bombproof, fast, firm, sound, stalwart, strong, sturdy

Related Words dependable, durable, reliable; infrangible, irrefragable, unbreakable; beefy, solid; cohesive, tough

Near Antonyms infirm, insecure, weak; shaky, tottering, tottery, unbalanced, wobbly (also wabbly); unsubstantial

Antonyms rickety, unsound, unstable, unsteady

3

not showing weakness or uncertainty <you'll need a sturdy grasp of the concepts of algebra before you can take calculus>

Synonyms forceful, hearty, iron, lusty, robust, solid, stout, strong, sturdy, vigorous

Related Words hard, ironclad, mighty, powerful, tough, unyielding; animated, brisk, energetic, frisky, jaunty, jazzy, lively, peppy, perky, spirited, sprightful, sprightly, springy, vital, vivacious, zippy; assured, certain, confident, sanguine, secure, sure

Near Antonyms feeble, fragile, frail; limp, listless, spiritless; diffident, insecure, self-doubting; characterless, effete, frail, spineless, weakened, weak-kneed, wimpy, wishy-washy

Antonyms uncertain, weak