strong

adjective

ˈstrȯŋ How to pronounce strong (audio)
Definition of strongnext
1
as in muscular
having muscles capable of exerting great physical force I need some strong people to help me move furniture

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2
as in powerful
having great power or influence a time when the country needs a strong leader

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3
as in sturdy
able to withstand hardship, strain, or exposure the doctor soon declared her strong enough to go home from the hospital

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4
as in spicy
having a powerfully stimulating odor or flavor the garlic in the sauce is almost too strong that's mighty strong perfume you're wearing

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5
as in rich
having an abundance of some characteristic quality (as flavor) strong coffee

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6
as in ripe
having an unpleasant smell the dog's strong breath nearly bowled me over

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7
as in compelling
having the power to persuade made a strong argument for starting school an hour later each day

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8
as in stable
marked by the ability to withstand stress without structural damage or distortion buildings strong enough to withstand an earthquake

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9
as in solid
not showing weakness or uncertainty a strong belief in the value of hard work

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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 Some thunderstorms could be strong to severe Monday afternoon and evening across eastern Kansas and western Missouri, the weather service said. — Kansas City Star, 30 Oct. 2026 It was labeled a foreign agent, a designation that carries strong pejorative connotations and implies additional government scrutiny. — Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026 The film is among the Oscar contenders this year including best actor for Pascal, and with the strong reviews, perhaps even best picture. — Clayton Davis, Variety, 30 Oct. 2026 This Halloween weekend, the festivities will keep going strong for Monáe. — Christian Allaire, Vogue, 30 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for strong
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strong
  1. muscular
  2. powerful
  3. sturdy
  4. spicy
  5. rich
  6. ripe
  7. compelling
  8. solid
Adjective
  • Coming in the next issue, our White House correspondent Linda Feldmann reports on why that muscular approach – supported by his loyal base – might continue regardless of who wins control of Congress.
    — Mark Trumbull, Christian Science Monitor, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The team revised Rotta’s face and coloring to bring him closer to Jabba while refining his muscular physique.
    — Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of muscular
Adjective
  • The centrepiece of the archaeological site is a massive rock which is more than 20 feet long and features an intriguing engraving of a powerful being.
    — James Rampton, TheWeek, 3 Nov. 2026
  • View gallery - 5 images High-performance electric dirt bikes are becoming increasingly capable, but stepping into the more powerful end of the market often requires a considerable investment.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of powerful
Adjective
  • You also get built-in Wi-Fi for remote app control, 8 months of battery life, and a sturdy IP53 weather-resistant design to ensure your home stays protected around the clock.
    — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 30 Oct. 2026
  • After recognizing the need for sturdier work pants, Strauss partnered with tailor Jacob Davis to develop a design that used copper rivets on denim and duck canvas pants, laying the foundation for the modern blue jean.
    — Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of sturdy
Adjective
  • The restaurant also makes its own salsas, including roja, verde and a spicier green variety.
    — Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The property collaborated with Nobu and the food is clean and delicious—unsurprisingly, lots of raw fish and produce like spicy microgreens and August-sweet tomatoes grown at Sensei’s hydroponic farm down the road.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of spicy
Adjective
  • However, sometimes chuck and top sirloin are used, offering a richer, more flavorful, marbled cut.
    — Natalia Vela, Southern Living, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Because the album is rich with melody—because the compositions snake so readily from note to note, compared to Malone’s previous works—inklings of narrative start to seep from the foggy passages.
    — Sasha Geffen, Pitchfork, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of rich
Adjective
  • Bountiful seafood pastas are the specialty, but do save some space here or elsewhere for a dessert of po’e, a sweet, dense sponge cake made from mashed ripe bananas.
    — Mark Johanson, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Oct. 2026
  • The infants would be able to feed to their stomachs’ content on the increasingly ripe meat without getting close to finishing the entire spread laid before them.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of ripe
Adjective
  • Locally, the most compelling cage fight is a rematch between the last mayoral candidates, putting two political rivals back in the ring after one of this city’s most contentious mayoral races.
    — Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2026
  • The study provided some of the most compelling evidence that some dinosaurs developed specialized diets associated with flowering plants.
    — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of compelling
Adjective
  • Precincts with more votes cast per square mile appear more solid, with areas with lower voter density fade to white.
    — Sean Greene, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026
  • The sushi was solid and the cocktail program felt thoughtful and exciting.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of solid

Phrases Containing strong

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strolls
strong
strong-arm
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Cite this Entry

“Strong.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strong. Accessed 7 Nov. 2026.

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