Definition of robustnext
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Synonym Chooser

How is the word robust distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of robust are hale, healthy, sound, well, and wholesome. While all these words mean "enjoying or indicative of good health," robust implies the opposite of all that is delicate or sickly.

a lively, robust little boy

When would hale be a good substitute for robust?

Although the words hale and robust have much in common, hale applies particularly to robustness in old age.

still hale at the age of eighty

When can healthy be used instead of robust?

The meanings of healthy and robust largely overlap; however, healthy implies full strength and vigor as well as freedom from signs of disease.

a healthy family

When is sound a more appropriate choice than robust?

The words sound and robust are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sound emphasizes the absence of disease, weakness, or malfunction.

a sound heart

When is it sensible to use well instead of robust?

In some situations, the words well and robust are roughly equivalent. However, well implies merely freedom from disease or illness.

she has never been a well person

When might wholesome be a better fit than robust?

The words wholesome and robust can be used in similar contexts, but wholesome implies appearance and behavior indicating soundness and balance.

a face with a wholesome glow

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 robust As robust as the army of season-ticket holders is, there are still more than 5,000 names on the waiting list, and the number crunch leaves only a couple of thousand seats available for single-game sales. Brett Knight, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 The labor market added a robust average of about 114,000 jobs each month from January to May, Bureau of Labor Statistics Data showed. Max Zahn, ABC News, 30 June 2026 Whether a poolside quaffer or something robust enough for brisket and ribs, there’s no shortage of excellent American wines to choose from. Anna Lee Iijima, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2026 Integrated graphics—especially in entry-level chips—are generally not up to the task for 3D workloads, graphics-intensive editing tasks, or robust AAA gaming, and that was the case here too. Matthew Buzzi, PC Magazine, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for robust
Recent Examples of Synonyms for robust
Adjective
  • Pomegranates also contain vitamin K and folate, which can help support healthy blood clotting and cell growth, respectively.
    Daryl Austin, USA Today, 2 July 2026
  • The indexes are sitting on healthy gains for the year despite a slight pullback in June.
    John Towfighi, CNN Money, 1 July 2026
Adjective
  • Work with Your Design Style A color this bright and energetic couldn’t possibly be versatile, too, right?
    Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 July 2026
  • Brazil were energetic and vertical, Vinicius Junior and Rayan stretched their opponents and Gabriel Martinelli’s stoppage-time winner was just reward.
    Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 4 July 2026
Adjective
  • Soak in the mineral-rich waters of nearby Travertine Hot Springs and observe a decaying mining town at Bodie State Historic Park.
    Chelsee Lowe, Travel + Leisure, 1 July 2026
  • Key Takeaways Omega-3s can be obtained through a balanced diet, especially by eating seafood rich in DHA and EPA, such as salmon, sardines, and mackerel.
    Jennifer Lefton, Verywell Health, 1 July 2026
Adjective
  • Beyond California, scientists are raising alarms over the planet’s warming oceans, which — coupled with a strong El Niño — could increase temperatures for land dwellers in the coming weeks.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • Weather aside, Fall/Winter 2026 Haute Couture Week, running from July 6 to 9, will feature shows from 30 houses, compared with FW25’s 27-strong line-up.
    Laure Guilbault, Vogue, 6 July 2026
Adjective
  • Be sure to cover your head and neck with your arms, and crawl under a sturdy table if possible.
    CA Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 6 July 2026
  • For your safety, move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 4 July 2026
Adjective
  • Unlike dynamic stretching, static stretching holds muscles in a lengthened position for an extended period.
    Hannah Harper, Health, 1 July 2026
  • However, beginning in the late 1950s, advancing spacecraft technology allowed scientists to study planets, moons and smaller bodies up close, revealing worlds far more diverse and dynamic than could be seen through telescopes alone.
    Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 1 July 2026
Adjective
  • Red apples, especially deeper red varieties, contain higher levels of anthocyanins, potent antioxidants.
    Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 3 July 2026
  • That potent symbolism has been evident in the black funeral flags hanging over city streets since his death referencing the seventh-century martyrdom of Shi'ism's third imam, Hossein.
    Parisa Hafezi, USA Today, 3 July 2026
Adjective
  • Goldin, who appeared in 11 Heat games as a rookie, was very solid on Friday, blocking a shot by Maliq Brown and then blocking a shot on an alley oop.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 4 July 2026
  • Additionally, Thursday morning’s mission was the last to use the Atlas V’s most powerful configuration with five strap-on solid rocket boosters.
    Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 3 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Robust.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/robust. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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