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Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of strong are stalwart, stout, sturdy, tenacious, and tough. While all these words mean "showing power to resist or to endure," 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 might stalwart be a better fit than strong?

The meanings of stalwart and strong largely overlap; however, stalwart suggests an unshakable dependability.

stalwart environmentalists

When would stout be a good substitute for strong?

The words stout and strong can be used in similar contexts, but stout suggests an ability to endure stress, pain, or hard use without giving way.

stout hiking boots

When is it sensible to use sturdy instead of strong?

The words sturdy and strong are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sturdy implies strength derived from vigorous growth, determination of spirit, solidity of construction.

a sturdy table
people of sturdy independence

Where would tenacious be a reasonable alternative to strong?

In some situations, the words tenacious and strong are roughly equivalent. However, tenacious suggests strength in seizing, retaining, clinging to, or holding together.

tenacious farmers clinging to an age-old way of life

In what contexts can tough take the place of strong?

Although the words tough and strong have much in common, 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 strong The South Korean dark comedy has generated strong word-of-mouth, and could pull off a huge victory. Clayton Davis, Variety, 12 Sep. 2025 Packers beat Commanders to start season 2-0 with strong performance. FOXNews.com, 12 Sep. 2025 The Shenlong was suspected of sending a strong signal to Earth while flying over North America in 2023. Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 12 Sep. 2025 The result is stronger satisfaction, higher retention, and deeper engagement. Liz Teran, Fortune, 12 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for strong
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strong
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
  • But Karl Maybach’s greatest contribution to the wonders of European civilization were his enormously powerful diesel engines that gave birth to the very first high-speed trains of Europe, emphatically putting steam trains out of business.
    Mark Ewing, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
  • Why spend hundreds on new hardware when one of the cheapest, most powerful PC upgrades of the year costs less than a Cava bowl?
    StackCommerce Team, PC Magazine, 14 Sep. 2025
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
  • For a little bit of spicy kick, make the pimiento cheese with pepper Jack instead of Cheddar.
    Ann Taylor Pittman, Southern Living, 12 Sep. 2025
  • The star, of course, is ginger root oil—its warm, spicy aroma is blended with cardamom, clove, and coriander, plus a hit of citrus oils (lime, orange, bergamot, grapefruit) and eucalyptus for an energizing, feel-good scent.
    Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Eating a wide variety of nutrient-rich foods helps maintain a balanced gut microbiome.
    Abby Norman, Verywell Health, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Niacinamide, which is a form of Vitamin B3, is rich in antioxidants that help combat oily and sun-damaged skin, according to the brand.
    Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • For its part, the NFL says those markets are ripe for monetary distortion or manipulation.
    Contessa Brewer,Alex Sherman, CNBC, 11 Sep. 2025
  • From these experiences, Austen must have concluded that throwing together a play was a ripe scenario for generating drama and tension between a close set of characters in her fiction.
    Emily Zarevich, JSTOR Daily, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program has been active since 2010, compelling more than 8,000 facilities and suppliers in the United States to report their climate pollution every year, and uses the data to help shape rules to reduce the amount of pollution in the air.
    Ella Nilsen, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025
  • For a daily driver, the third-generation Leaf is rather compelling, especially the S+, although the lack of heated front seats in that model might be too much of a deal-breaker, considering how important seat heaters are to EV efficiency in winter.
    Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • And when the second half started, Gay couldn’t turn a solid Commanders drive into three more points, banging the ball off the right goal post.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 12 Sep. 2025
  • The company's portfolio includes solid rocket motors (SRMs) ranging from 2 inches to 22 inches in diameter for missiles like the Stinger, Javelin, and air-defense interceptors.
    Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 12 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Strong.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strong. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.

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