1
2
3
as in valiant
feeling or displaying no fear by temperament stout souls who boldly ventured forward, not knowing what kinds of danger they faced

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

4
5

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of stout are stalwart, strong, sturdy, tenacious, and tough. While all these words mean "showing power to resist or to endure," stout suggests an ability to endure stress, pain, or hard use without giving way.

stout hiking boots

When can stalwart be used instead of stout?

While the synonyms stalwart and stout are close in meaning, stalwart suggests an unshakable dependability.

stalwart environmentalists

Where would strong be a reasonable alternative to stout?

In some situations, the words strong and stout are roughly equivalent. However, strong may imply power derived from muscular vigor, large size, structural soundness, intellectual or spiritual resources.

strong arms
the defense has a strong case

When would sturdy be a good substitute for stout?

The words sturdy and stout can be used in similar contexts, but sturdy implies strength derived from vigorous growth, determination of spirit, solidity of construction.

a sturdy table
people of sturdy independence

When might tenacious be a better fit than stout?

The words tenacious and stout are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 stout?

The meanings of tough and stout largely overlap; 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 stout The defense could be much stouter. Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2025 He was traded to Philadelphia and couldn’t find his footing enough to even garner a backup role on their stout offensive line. Mike Fore, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025 What was not necessarily anticipated from Jones, however, was stout defense. Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Aug. 2025 The Cyclones have a stout defense, but the Irish running attack led by Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price will take over the game in the second half, giving Marcus Freeman another CFP win. Bruce Feldman, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for stout
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stout
Adjective
  • The sturdy steel frame holds up to 650 pounds, while the insulated cup holders cool and keep drinks within reach.
    Francesca Krempa, Travel + Leisure, 8 Sep. 2025
  • If possible, drive to a nearby sturdy building.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • However, Schwarber looks like a player right out of the old school with his stocky build.
    John Perrotto, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
  • During the poker game, Bowyer and one of his friends, a stocky guy named Michael Greenberg who had been a fixture at those long-ago high school poker games, began talking to a man seated at the card table.
    DAVID AMSDEN, Rolling Stone, 29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Call it a valiant, optimistic, perhaps even a calamitous misreading.
    Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025
  • In addition to implementing many voluntary changes, and even after a valiant legal fight and court victory, Harvard may still make a deal to get Trump off its back.
    Jeannie Suk Gersen, New Yorker, 6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The same can be said of Mescal, who’s already parlayed playing men of muscular physique and melancholy dispositions into above-the-title movie stardom.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2025
  • The prose is ecstatic and freaky and muscular.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • These are available in five sizes, along with plenty of fun patterns, solid colors, and an all-black pack.
    Jacquelyn Smith, Parents, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Nina Energy turns scraps into solid biofuels and biochar.
    Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • French Lavender French lavender (Lavandula dentata) is not as hardy as other varieties of lavender, so a vigorous pruning can kill it.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Native to central Asia, oriental poppies (Papaver orientale) are perennials that are winter-hardy in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 3-7.
    Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • At the top of that list is a hyaluronic acid serum that traps moisture and leaves my skin noticeably plump and dewy.
    Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Fall is the prime time for planting garlic to grow your own large, plump cloves.
    Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • This is a courageous act that requires vulnerability over cowardice.
    Julie Kratz, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
  • The school has been the courageous standard bearer of academic freedom in the assault on higher education.
    Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 5 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Stout.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stout. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on stout

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!