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 The price of inaction and, conversely, the benefits of robust due diligence are much harder to measure. — Ben Vanpeperstraete, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2026 Facing life behind bars if found guilty for the 2025 killing of his parents, Nick Reiner moved a lot closer today to getting his hands on his trust fund to put on a robust defense. — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2026 In addition, our staff complete a robust survey of the ward to select additional projects and identify the streets and sidewalks most in need of repair. — Sabrina Franza, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026 There is more advanced musculature on the puppets’ limbs, as well as more robust and flexible materials for clothing, hair, and fur. — Andrew Webster, The Verge, 22 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for robust
Recent Examples of Synonyms for robust
Adjective
  • Getting Williams back healthy had been central to Oklahoma City’s goal of returning to the NBA Finals.
    — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Both of these elements challenge different facets of balance, strength, and mobility, all of which are important for healthy aging and everyday activities.
    — Jakob Roze, HEALTH, 28 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • This lunar event shifts the energetic landscape significantly.
    — Lisa Stardust, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Now, the Andrés group is back with an equally glamorous restaurant, one that highlights aged steaks in an energetic and theatrical setting.
    — Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Counties where richer arrivals or the departure of lower earners drove the improvement were set aside.
    — Amy L. Wong, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Kodal Minerals plans to expand its lithium business across West Africa, betting the gold-rich region can become a major supplier of the battery metal, Reuters reported.
    — Ruben Nyanguila, semafor.com, 26 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Policymakers recognized that American companies needed a stronger reason to invest in innovation.
    — Rick Lazio, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Meta Platforms, which is pushing its Muse AI agent, lost 7% after reporting stronger revenue for the latest quarter than analysts expected, though its profit fell short.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Denim is a sturdy cotton textile that is woven in a twill pattern, creating a distinctive diagonal rib on the fabric’s surface.
    — Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Carrying a large pump spray bottle and a small, sturdy brush, Caitlin Abrams stood before two starkly contrasting graves in a modest cemetery in western Vermont.
    — Kimberlee Kruesi, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Between that difficult dynamic, the questionable backcourt of Davion Mitchell and Klay Thompson and a host of other problems that have already been revealed, missing the Play-In together is legitimately in play.
    — Dan Woike, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2026
  • And Washington must lean into a role as military integrator, smoothing out communication and coordination at sea for navies not used to dynamic multimember missions.
    — Dana Stroul, Foreign Affairs, 28 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • The incident, while unlikely to herald a more widespread outbreak, is a potent reminder of the potential for pathogens to jump from animals to humans—with deadly consequences.
    — Sahas Mehra, Scientific American, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Dulcich is more of the pass-catching tight end, while rookie Will Kacmarek is the potent blocker.
    — David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • However, Hamilton made up for it the next frame in a big way, leading off the top of the fifth inning with a solo home run to right center field off Griffin Jax, whose solid start ended on a bad note.
    — Scott Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 28 Oct. 2026
  • The fiber then emerges through its spinnerets in the solid form.
    — Muskan Bhatia, Interesting Engineering, 28 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Robust.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/robust. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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