Synonyms of sturdy

sturdy

adjective

ˈstər-dē 

1

as in hardy

able to withstand hardship, strain, or exposure

it took a sturdy person to endure the life of a pioneer

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

2

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

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

3

as in solid

not showing weakness or uncertainty

you'll need a sturdy grasp of the concepts of algebra before you can take calculus

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

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