Synonyms of strong

strong

adjective

ˈstrȯŋ 

1

as in muscular

having muscles capable of exerting great physical force

I need some strong people to help me move furniture

Synonyms & Similar Words

• muscular
• powerful
• mighty
• rugged
• stout
• sturdy
• masculine
• sinewy
• stalwart
• tough
• brawny
• athletic
• potent
• hard
• forceful
• energetic
• healthy
• robust
• vigorous
• fit
• forcible
• trim
• strengthened
• beefy
• virile
• husky
• burly
• sound
• puissant
• energized
• lusty
• strapping
• vitalized
• hearty
• able-bodied
• hale
• toughened
• invigorated
• inured
• red-blooded

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• weak
• feeble
• delicate
• frail
• disabled
• wimpy
• small
• paralyzed
• incapacitated
• powerless
• weakling
• impotent
• slight
• unhealthy
• puny
• unfit
• unathletic

2

as in powerful

having great power or influence

a time when the country needs a strong leader

Synonyms & Similar Words

• powerful
• influential
• significant
• important
• potent
• prominent
• mighty
• heavy
• senior
• heavy-duty
• outstanding
• top
• great
• distinguished
• capable
• puissant
• dominant
• effective
• robust
• efficient
• able
• competent
• high-level
• famous
• notable
• celebrated
• vigorous
• renowned
• dynamic
• noteworthy
• notorious
• prestigious
• illustrious
• energetic
• authoritarian
• eminent
• autocratic
• forceful
• famed
• despotic
• tyrannical
• noble
• dictatorial
• magisterial
• high-powered
• preeminent

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• weak
• little
• insignificant
• powerless
• helpless
• unimportant
• feeble
• impotent
• flimsy
• frail
• infirm
• unknown
• anonymous
• obscure
• incapable
• ineffective
• nameless
• incompetent
• unfit
• unskilled
• unqualified
• inept
• uncelebrated
• unskillful
• inexpert

3

as in sturdy

able to withstand hardship, strain, or exposure

the doctor soon declared her strong enough to go home from the hospital

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sturdy
• hardy
• tough
• stout
• vigorous
• rugged
• hardened
• durable
• robust
• healthy
• hard
• staunch
• cast-iron
• permanent
• stable
• thriving
• toughened
• resilient
• hard-bitten
• lasting
• tenacious
• inured
• muscular
• enduring
• stalwart
• unyielding
• flinty
• everlasting
• immortal
• leathery
• staying
• fortified
• virile
• flourishing
• tempered
• imperishable
• prospering
• brawny
• sound
• fit
• husky
• lusty
• seasoned
• hale
• able-bodied
• strapping
• annealed
• red-blooded

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• weak
• soft
• delicate
• tender
• weakened
• worn
• wasted
• enfeebled
• fragile
• diseased
• exhausted
• unsound
• emasculated
• sensitive
• debilitated
• infirm
• vulnerable
• frail
• susceptible
• crippled
• puny
• incapacitated
• nonhardy
• temporary
• sapped
• enervated
• transient
• yielding
• run-down
• worn-out
• resistless
• mortal
• perishable
• unresistant

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• spicy
• pungent
• tangy
• sharp
• delicious
• acidic
• hot
• acid
• nippy
• harsh
• peppery
• aromatic
• piquant
• acrid
• exciting
• acute
• bitter
• provocative
• zesty
• putrid
• keen
• energizing
• tart
• tasty
• flavorful
• rancid
• zingy
• delectable
• appetizing
• rank
• palatable
• invigorating
• skunky
• savory
• galvanizing
• animating
• gingery
• toothsome
• redolent

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• mild
• smooth
• soft
• bland
• gentle
• ripe
• aged
• mellow
• weak
• flat
• thin
• insipid
• dilute
• tasteless
• watery
• flavorless
• zestless
• savorless

5

as in rich

having an abundance of some characteristic quality (as flavor)

strong coffee

Synonyms & Similar Words

• rich
• robust
• potent
• big
• concentrated
• muscular
• full
• heady
• lusty
• plush
• full-bodied
• heavy
• fortified
• undiluted
• unmixed
• straight
• enriched
• high-octane
• high-test

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• weak
• thin
• mild
• light
• delicate
• weakened
• thinned
• dilute
• diluted
• watery
• watered-down

6

as in ripe

having an unpleasant smell

the dog's strong breath nearly bowled me over

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ripe
• stinking
• foul
• funky
• disgusting
• rotted
• stinky
• filthy
• rotting
• rotten
• bad
• malodorous
• reeking
• fusty
• dirty
• musty
• smelly
• fetid
• rank
• nasty
• noisome
• reeky
• frowsty
• frowsy
• vile
• repulsive
• offensive
• putrid
• stenchy
• spoiled
• revolting
• stale
• decayed
• rancid
• decaying
• skunky
• noxious
• decomposed
• spoiling
• odorous
• odoriferous
• decomposing
• odiferous

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• sweet
• aromatic
• fragrant
• scented
• savory
• perfumed
• redolent
• ambrosial
• spicy
• woodsy
• flowery
• fruity

7

as in compelling

having the power to persuade

made a strong argument for starting school an hour later each day

Synonyms & Similar Words

• compelling
• convincing
• conclusive
• valid
• persuasive
• effective
• decisive
• satisfying
• forceful
• cogent
• definitive
• authoritative
• telling
• important
• significant
• sound
• relevant
• pertinent
• well-founded
• weighty
• material

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ineffective
• inconclusive
• unconvincing
• shaky
• indecisive
• unfounded
• invalid
• insignificant
• unsound
• weak
• groundless
• unimportant
• unpersuasive
• irrelevant
• uncompelling
• feeble
• inconsequential
• immaterial

8

as in stable

marked by the ability to withstand stress without structural damage or distortion

buildings strong enough to withstand an earthquake

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sturdy
• stable
• durable
• sound
• reliable
• stalwart
• dependable
• fast
• solid
• firm
• bombproof
• tough
• unbreakable
• cohesive
• beefy
• irrefragable
• infrangible

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• weak
• unstable
• rickety
• unsteady
• unsound
• insecure
• infirm
• shaky
• unbalanced
• wobbly
• unsubstantial
• tottering
• tottery

9

as in solid

not showing weakness or uncertainty

a strong belief in the value of hard work

Synonyms & Similar Words

• solid
• sturdy
• vigorous
• firm
• robust
• powerful
• tough
• stout
• forceful
• iron
• mighty
• lusty
• hearty
• hard
• lively
• brisk
• confident
• energetic
• unyielding
• spirited
• ironclad
• vital
• vivacious
• perky
• certain
• sprightly
• secure
• frisky
• animated
• peppy
• springy
• jazzy
• jaunty
• sure
• assured
• sanguine
• zippy
• sprightful

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• weak
• uncertain
• feeble
• fragile
• frail
• limp
• listless
• spiritless
• insecure
• diffident
• weakened
• wimpy
• spineless
• characterless
• effete
• self-doubting
• wishy-washy
• weak-kneed

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

Recent Examples of strong

Lana Saria, head of Indonesia’s Geological Agency, said activity at Anak Krakatau has intensified since July, with Sunday’s eruption the strongest during that period. — Tatan Syuflana, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026

The culture of safety held strong through the end of the shuttle program. — Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Sep. 2026

For Pritzker or whoever prevails, the golden ticket could be a strong policy on data centers. — Patrick McNamara, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026

Sears, a lefty, transferred to UConn from Rhode Island College and came on strong late in his one season with MacDonald, 2023, striking out 74 in 62 innings. — Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 6 Sep. 2026

Phrases Containing strong

• strong drink
• strong suit