1
2
3
4

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 Today, Big Night has two locations and a robust online shop that includes home goods, tableware, kitchenware and barware, glasses, and pantry items. Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 Oct. 2025 If nothing else, there should be robust discussions about an unpredictable leader in North Korea, Beijing’s territorial claims in the South China Sea and, of course, Taiwan. Christopher Smart, Time, 29 Oct. 2025 Consider the Trefis Reinforced Value (RV) Portfolio, which has outperformed its all-cap stocks benchmark (a combination of the S&P 500, S&P mid-cap, and Russell 2000 benchmark indices), delivering robust returns for investors. Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 29 Oct. 2025 Key features include compute power via virtual machines and serverless functions, diverse storage options, managed databases like Azure SQL and Cosmos DB, and robust networking tools. Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for robust
Recent Examples of Synonyms for robust
Adjective
  • Air frying is healthier, faster, and doesn't splatter grease all over your kitchen.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 3 Nov. 2025
  • Even when participants’ average blood pressure seemed healthy, those with the most erratic readings — combined with stiffer arteries — showed telltale signs of brain aging, the study found.
    Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • With the right team in place, sessions feel warm, energetic, and inviting.
    Matt Emma, USA Today, 3 Nov. 2025
  • Williams went viral for his energetic behavior on the sideline during the game.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • The world outside me was big and rich with far more important and grave matters.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025
  • Advertisement Mamdani’s political success is largely credited to a media-savvy campaign that centered affordability in one of the world’s most expensive cities, with Mamdani vowing to levy New York’s ultra-rich to pay for childcare, transportation, and even grocery stores.
    Philip Elliott, Time, 5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Smith said Thursday in a news release that Stubblefield leaves behind a legacy of strong, principled leadership.
    Ella McCarthy, Arkansas Online, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Toklas went on to fiercely uphold the author’s legacy, honoring Stein’s apparent desire to be understood while at the same time respecting her equally strong wish to remain elusive.
    Daphne Merkin, The Atlantic, 31 Oct. 2025
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, 3 Nov. 2025
  • The shearling is still fluffy, and the soles are sturdy.
    Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • The rapid advances of AI and the ceaseless scheming of cybercriminals and hackers make cyber startups one of the most dynamic and innovative sectors of the tech industry, Chahal says.
    Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 30 Oct. 2025
  • Usually, nothing happens, because that’s the beauty of us everywhere, there’s the same story, just the decorum changes and the dynamic changes.
    Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • That most potent version of this car came with a 454-cubic-inch LS6 V-8 with a single four-barrel 800 CFM Holley carburetor that made 450 hp and 500 lb ft of torque.
    Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 3 Nov. 2025
  • The vast stillness of the second movement, with spectral arpeggios chiming on a prepared piano, was all the more potent in contrast.
    Alex Ross, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Scott Parker’s team possess all of the qualities that Vincent Kompany’s side lacked — a solid defensive foundation, togetherness, fighting spirit, and valuable top-flight experience led by example from defender Kyle Walker and goalkeeper Martin Dubravka.
    Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Certain closet staples are well worth investing in, but finding comparable styles at a more affordable price point can make building a solid seasonal wardrobe more realistic.
    Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Robust.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/robust. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on robust

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!