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 country has had a robust presence at the event in recent years. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 3 Feb. 2026 There is a robust pipeline of male birth control products being tested. Annalisa Merelli, STAT, 2 Feb. 2026 The Club was founded in 1836 as a political center for the Whigs and Radicals and later became a nonpolitical meeting place boasting Italian Renaissance architecture and a robust art collection. Kayla Keegan, PEOPLE, 1 Feb. 2026 Spring Clothing Winter is the best time to thrift clothing for warmer weather because almost everyone is still focused on staying warm and cozy, so the inventory is robust. Ashley Poskin, Martha Stewart, 1 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for robust
Recent Examples of Synonyms for robust
Adjective
  • The hope for a big payout could lead kidnappers to keep the victim healthy.
    Chris Kenning, USA Today, 8 Feb. 2026
  • The crux of this formula is keratin, a protein shown to be vital to healthy and relatively more youthful nails.
    Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • His interests reflect both his creativity and his energetic spirit.
    MARE Staff, Boston Herald, 25 Jan. 2026
  • Some 35 times more energetic than any neutrino seen before, the particle might have shot out from a highly active galaxy — a blazar — or a background source of cosmogenic high-energy particles that scientists suspect pervade the cosmos.
    Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Hims and Hers’ ‘Sick of the System’ Sick of rich people having access to higher quality healthcare and GLP-1 drugs?
    Omar L. Gallaga, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
  • With dark chocolate, a bit of espresso, and a chocolate-peppermint ganache on top, these rich brownies have so much flavor in every bite.
    Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • The aging expert later developed other biological aging clocks, including models shown in studies to be strong predictors of mortality risk.
    Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 4 Feb. 2026
  • By Monday, any lingering concerns about Warsh or his history of hawkishness had been largely put aside as Wall Street turned its attention to surprisingly strong US manufacturing data.
    Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Organizers brushed off those rumors, heralding the beds as sturdy and eco-friendly.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
  • If possible, drive to a nearby sturdy building.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • The team aimed to recreate this kind of dynamic control in a soft, synthetic material using digital design rather than complex biological systems.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 6 Feb. 2026
  • The dynamic looks slightly different for photographer Swapnil Junjare.
    Nikita Khanna, Vogue, 5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • The death cap is one of the most poisonous mushrooms in the world and is part of a small group of mushrooms containing amatoxins, which are highly potent compounds causing 90% of fatal mushroom poisonings globally.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Feb. 2026
  • The death cap is one of the most poisonous mushrooms in the world and is part of a small group of mushrooms containing amatoxins, which are highly potent compounds causing 90% of fatal mushroom poisonings globally.
    CBS News, CBS News, 7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Continuing with Seattle’s stellar 2025 draft class, Hugus was their third-round pick out of Miami, working 92-94 with a solid-average slider and at least average command.
    Keith Law, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
  • Republicans have an opportunity to get solid health care reform over the finish line this year before the midterm elections rebalance power in Washington.
    Washington Post, Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Robust.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/robust. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on robust

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