ROBUST Synonyms: 190 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

robust

adjective

rō-ˈbəst

Definition of robust

as in healthy

enjoying health and vigor a robust and sturdy toddler

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in energetic

having active strength of body or mind a robust older man who still bicycles 10 miles a day

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in rich

having an abundance of some characteristic quality (as flavor) beef and other red meats should be accompanied by robust wines

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in strong

not showing weakness or uncertainty a robust slap on the back welcoming me to the company

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 In recent months, rising exports of electric vehicles, industrial machinery and semiconductors have helped fuel China’s robust shipments globally. — ABC News, 7 Sep. 2026 RingCentral's RingEx is an industry-leading communication system that combines your business phone, video calls, and text messages into one robust and user-friendly platform. — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 7 Sep. 2026 Europe boasts a robust space sector with an impressive pedigree, but the industry is not known for its dynamism. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 6 Sep. 2026 Democrats are insisting the measure include a more robust ethics provision. — Steven Sloan, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for robust

Recent Examples of Synonyms for robust

Adjective

Understanding the benefits muscle cells have as endocrine workhorses could help keep us all healthier in the long run.

— Mike McRae September 02, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026
Higher benchmark yields can lift financing costs even for healthy companies, potentially making some factories, data centers, acquisitions and other investments less economically viable.

— Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of healthy

Adjective

McQueen proves himself a masterful stylist of the modern blockbuster with this energetic action-thriller.

— Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Sep. 2026
Colombian folk-pop band is known in the Latin music world for catchy melodies, heartfelt lyrics and energetic live shows.

— Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of energetic

Adjective

Between the classic crossbody design, gold hardware accents, and rich color, this purse is anything but basic.

— Alyssa Morin, InStyle, 3 Sep. 2026
This luxe accent chair invites fall into your home with its rich velvet upholstery and warm cinnamon shade.

— Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of rich

Adjective

The latest forecast predicts the center will pass roughly 115 to 150 miles west of Kauai, close enough that any additional eastward shifts in the track could bring stronger winds and greater impacts, particularly to Kauai, the hurricane center said.

— Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2026
Design delivers low noise and vibration levels The new Elegance Pod is being developed with a strong focus on total system efficiency.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of strong

Adjective

Neither Jović nor Eala has a sturdy serve, as is common among players their age, so quick points were few and far between.

— Ava Wallace, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Its full aluminum build is sturdy and lightweight enough to hold for a long time, and battery life is solid for how bright the screen is, clocking in at over six hours on a single charge in our testing.

— K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of sturdy

Adjective

Something at home could be bothering you more than you’d like to admit, perhaps a tense family dynamic or the fact that your apartment is a literal mess.

— Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 2 Sep. 2026
Keeping that cut quality consistent over a full session also relies on active cooling around the transducer and blade area, alongside dynamic output adjustment (rated up to 50W) based on cutting load.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of dynamic

Adjective

Toad facilitators now regularly milk the toad’s glands and dry the extract so it can be smoked, generating potent trips that are said to collapse the ego.

— The Week US, TheWeek, 2 Sep. 2026
Together, the formula is more stable—and thus more potent—than any ingredient on its own.

— Deanna Pai, Vogue, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of potent

Adjective

If Wayne, a fictional character, were a more solid creation, the movie could better explore the issue of whether answering racist brutality in kind is more effective than relying on an inadequate system.

— Alison Willmore, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026
The Volunteers have been the kingpin of Arlington ISD football the last two seasons, but several squads like Lamar, Arlington Martin and Arlington seem to have made solid offseason progress.

— Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of solid

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robust

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Style

“Robust.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/robust. Accessed 9 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of robust

adjective

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Synonyms of robust

adjective

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