stalwart 1 of 2

1
as in valiant
feeling or displaying no fear by temperament the stalwart soldiers in the army of Alexander the Great, who willingly followed him to the ends of the known world

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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stalwart

2 of 2

noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word stalwart different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of stalwart are stout, strong, sturdy, tenacious, and tough. While all these words mean "showing power to resist or to endure," stalwart suggests an unshakable dependability.

stalwart environmentalists

When is it sensible to use stout instead of stalwart?

The meanings of stout and stalwart largely overlap; however, stout suggests an ability to endure stress, pain, or hard use without giving way.

stout hiking boots

Where would strong be a reasonable alternative to stalwart?

The synonyms strong and stalwart are sometimes interchangeable, but strong may imply power derived from muscular vigor, large size, structural soundness, intellectual or spiritual resources.

strong arms
the defense has a strong case

In what contexts can sturdy take the place of stalwart?

While the synonyms sturdy and stalwart are close in meaning, sturdy implies strength derived from vigorous growth, determination of spirit, solidity of construction.

a sturdy table
people of sturdy independence

When can tenacious be used instead of stalwart?

The words tenacious and stalwart can be used in similar contexts, but tenacious suggests strength in seizing, retaining, clinging to, or holding together.

tenacious farmers clinging to an age-old way of life

When is tough a more appropriate choice than stalwart?

In some situations, the words tough and stalwart are roughly equivalent. However, tough implies great firmness and resiliency.

a tough political opponent

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 stalwart
Adjective
Warner has been a stalwart in the middle of the 49ers defense since he was drafted in the third round in 2017. The Athletic Nfl Staff, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025 Diego Rincon, creative director at Lifted, says the team spotted an opportunity to work up a big new hit of this ilk after ITV’s stalwart Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway was rested. Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2025
Noun
The group is headed by Dominique Alexander, a stalwart Black Lives Matter and defund the police activist with a prior criminal history. Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 22 Aug. 2025 Even the once-stalwart security of a computer science degree is reportedly under assault, with AI replacing entry-level coders. Emil Steiner, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for stalwart
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stalwart
Adjective
  • Journey with Marie and her valiant Nutcracker prince to the Land of the Sugar Plum Fairy to experience a classic story with distinctly local flair.
    Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Despite the valiant efforts, catch-up hockey does not become them.
    Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Rockets big man Alperen Şengün was limited to 5-of-18 shooting after a strong season opener in Oklahoma City.
    Hunter Patterson, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Smith cited a strong support network for transgender students on campus during her appearance.
    Joshua Rhett Miller, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Designed by Hydro Tec, the modern, muscular exterior is characterized by a sturdy steel displacement hull, a distinctive bulbous bow, and a lightweight aluminum superstructure.
    Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 27 Oct. 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, 27 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • During his life, Phoenix was a dedicated activist, championing animal rights and environmentalism.
    Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025
  • The apology came after a sustained campaign by historians and activists who argued that the victims were persecuted for being poor, vulnerable, or simply different.
    James Frater, CNN Money, 31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • That instinct and his courageous actions on May 15, 2024, during a burglary in progress led to the local officer being among 15 first responders presented with a Hero Award during the National First Responders Day Roll Call of Heroes on Tuesday in New York City’s Times Square.
    Janice Phelan, Kansas City Star, 29 Oct. 2025
  • Tolkien conceived of the Shire as the quaint, pastoral homeland of the Hobbits, a race of short yet courageous dwellers of the fictional Middle-earth.
    Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Designed by Hydro Tec, the modern, muscular exterior is characterized by a sturdy steel displacement hull, a distinctive bulbous bow, and a lightweight aluminum superstructure.
    Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 27 Oct. 2025
  • In the after photo, the actor shows off his muscular physique in shorts and a tank top.
    Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Favorability Ratings Reveal Polarized Electorate All three candidates face underwater favorability ratings, though Mamdani’s supporters remain the most energized.
    Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
  • At last weekend’s general assembly of Barcelona club members, Laporta tried to thread a delicate path when defending the plan to play a domestic game over 4,500 miles away, knowing that Tebas is not exactly popular with his team’s supporters.
    Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • For me, it’s been really essential to read a lot of great information, and to come at the world filled with knowledge and all these ideas of, in my view, much smarter and braver people than myself.
    Fiction Non Fiction, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025
  • For those brave scientists who study snakes–aka herpetologists–the mechanics behind the reptiles’ fast fangs are more fascinating than fear-inducing.
    Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 23 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Stalwart.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stalwart. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.

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