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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 But the institutions set up by the militants, with help from regional governments like Qatar and a robust United Nations aid system, gave some structure to the strip’s exhausted population. Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2025 There will almost certainly be robust chanting back and forth between the two sets of fans. Nick Miller, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2025 Adults 21 and older can choose from a robust draft beer selection, wine and cocktails. Bradley Hohulin, IndyStar, 23 Aug. 2025 Troubled past, present San Jose police history provides plenty of reasons to warrant robust oversight. Mercury News Editorial, Mercury News, 22 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for robust
Recent Examples of Synonyms for robust
Adjective
  • For consumers who are healthy and earn too much to qualify for ACA plan subsidies, short-term plans might be a viable option for temporary coverage, Giovannelli said.
    Ken Alltucker, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2025
  • To manage that, and to deliver a top-five defense like defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver had last season, the Dolphins need those five players, along with inside linebacker Jordyn Brooks and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick to stay healthy this season.
    Omar Kelly August 25, Miami Herald, 25 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The resulting text has an energetic momentum and an almost cinematic quality.
    Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 19 Aug. 2025
  • While extroverts often perform best in collaborative, energetic spaces, introverts frequently do their most thoughtful work in quieter, less stimulating settings.
    Jennifer Kamara, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The 38-year-old chairman and CEO, the youngest of the ten richest billionaires in China, has amassed a fortune of $27.5 billion largely based on a company stake, according to Forbes estimates.
    Yue Wang, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
  • People in low-income countries are more than twice as likely as those in richer ones to lack basic drinking water and sanitation services.
    Jonathan Lambert, NPR, 28 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • According to research from Everytown for Gun Safety, a nonprofit that advocates for gun control, strong gun control laws are correlated with fewer gun deaths.
    Elliot Hughes, Journal Sentinel, 13 Jan. 2023
  • This results in a charge imbalance that builds up an electric field strong enough to trigger flashes of lightning.
    National Geographic, National Geographic, 13 Jan. 2023
Adjective
  • Cast Iron Square Skillet Grill This 9.5-inch square skillet pan is made from sturdy cast iron, giving meats and vegetables that juicy, chargrilled flavor and appearance — with no real grilling actually required.
    Emily Weaver, People.com, 30 Aug. 2025
  • Be sure to cover your head and neck with your arms, and crawl under a sturdy table if possible.
    CA Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 30 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Porter defended the Park Service response to the fire and blamed its expansion on dynamic and extreme weather conditions.
    Stephanie Murray, AZCentral.com, 28 Aug. 2025
  • In their place, dynamic, collaborative and customized approaches must emerge.
    Behzad Mahdavi, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Current cannabis products pack a punch Products today are more potent, according to the state audit.
    Amelia Wu, Sacbee.com, 25 Aug. 2025
  • Recipe Tips For Cream Cheese Mints Make sure to choose mint extract and not mint oil (which is much more potent).
    Ann Taylor Pittman, Southern Living, 24 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Even the bullpen is solid; that group ranks right around the top third of all 30 teams in wins above replacement.
    Jared Wyllys, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
  • Through his first three seasons, LSU has been solid — never winning fewer than nine games — but has not been elite.
    Antonio Morales, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Robust.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/robust. Accessed 2 Sep. 2025.

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