robust

adjective

ro·bust | \ rō-ˈbəst

, ˈrō-(ˌ)bəst\

Definition of robust

1a : having or exhibiting strength or vigorous health

b : having or showing vigor, strength, or firmness a robust debate a robust faith

c : strongly formed or constructed : sturdy a robust plastic

d : capable of performing without failure under a wide range of conditions robust software

2 : rough, rude stories … laden with robust, down-home imagery — Playboy

3 : requiring strength or vigor robust work

4 : full-bodied robust coffee also : hearty a robust dinner

5 : relating to, resembling, or being a specialized group of australopithecines characterized especially by heavy molars and small incisors adapted to a vegetarian diet

Note: Robust australopithecines are included in the genus Australopithecus along with gracile forms or placed in the separate genus Paranthropus.

— compare gracile sense 3

Other Words from robust Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about robust

Keep scrolling for more

Choose the Right Synonym for robust

healthy, sound, wholesome, robust, hale, well mean enjoying or indicative of good health. healthy implies full strength and vigor as well as freedom from signs of disease. a healthy family sound emphasizes the absence of disease, weakness, or malfunction. a sound heart wholesome implies appearance and behavior indicating soundness and balance. a face with a wholesome glow robust implies the opposite of all that is delicate or sickly. a lively, robust little boy hale applies particularly to robustness in old age. still hale at the age of eighty well implies merely freedom from disease or illness. she has never been a well person

Examples of robust in a Sentence

If Singapore, just seven miles to the north with its glittering skyline and robust economy, is Southeast Asia's Cinderella, Batam is her dark sister. — Peter Gwin, National Geographic, October 2007 The greatest gains in mine mechanization came in a burst of innovation following World War II, when robust new machines were developed … — Robert L. Marovelli, Scientific American, September 1982 Humfry was a man whom everyone noticed. His stature was above ordinary, his complexion sanguine, his conversation lively, and his constitution robust. — Samuel Eliot Morison, The European Discovery of America, 1971 Why is almost every robust healthy boy with a robust healthy soul in him, at some time or other crazy to go to sea? — Herman Melville, Moby Dick, 1851 robust young men and women He is in robust health. The sauce has a robust flavor.

Recent Examples on the Web

Despite the shutdown, the U.S. economy added a robust 304,000 jobs in January, marking 100 straight months of job growth. — Julie Pace, The Seattle Times, "Trump to call for unity, face skepticism in State of Union," 4 Feb. 2019 After their worst two-day start to a year since 2000, stock prices bounced back strongly on Friday, after Mr. Powell’s comments and the report showing employers added a robust 312,000 jobs last month. — Nick Timiraos, WSJ, "Fed Chairman Powell Sees Flexibility on Rates This Year," 4 Jan. 2019 Those cost savings enabled Tesla to cut the price of the cheapest Model 3 from $49,000 to $46,000, which should help ensure robust demand in the fourth quarter. — Timothy B. Lee, Ars Technica, "Why almost everyone was wrong about Tesla’s cash flow situation," 26 Oct. 2018 As labor costs rise and fuel prices surge, airlines are taking advantage of robust travel demand to squeeze as many passengers as possible into planes. — Mary Schlangenstein, latimes.com, "Airline bathrooms are getting smaller — you’re not imagining it," 10 July 2018 Employers added a robust 233,000 jobs in May, up from 159,000 in April, the government said Friday, and helped drive the nation’s unemployment rate to an 18-year low of 3.8 percent. — Christopher Rugaber, BostonGlobe.com, "US employers are hiring and may keep doing that despite trade worries," 2 June 2018 The billions bet in underground markets prove that there’s robust demand. — Sean Gregory, Time, "The Risks and Rewards of the Supreme Court’s Sports Gambling Decision," 17 May 2018 Dubbed the My Favorite Series, the robust plants were touted as reliably perennial as far north as zone 3b. — The Editors, Good Housekeeping, "How to Grow the Most Gorgeous Chrysanthemums This Fall," 9 Aug. 2018 Some districts in Burlington, Camden, and Gloucester Counties saw robust aid increases in Gov. Murphy’s first budget. — Meghan Bobrowsky, Philly.com, "Homeowners may hate them, however property taxes aren't going anywhere … but up," 11 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'robust.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.