robust

adjective

rō-ˈbəst How to pronounce robust (audio)
Definition of robustnext
1
as in healthy
enjoying health and vigor a robust and sturdy toddler

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in energetic
having active strength of body or mind a robust older man who still bicycles 10 miles a day

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in rich
having an abundance of some characteristic quality (as flavor) beef and other red meats should be accompanied by robust wines

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in strong
not showing weakness or uncertainty a robust slap on the back welcoming me to the company

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word robust distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of robust are hale, healthy, sound, well, and wholesome. While all these words mean "enjoying or indicative of good health," robust implies the opposite of all that is delicate or sickly.

a lively, robust little boy

When would hale be a good substitute for robust?

Although the words hale and robust have much in common, hale applies particularly to robustness in old age.

still hale at the age of eighty

When can healthy be used instead of robust?

The meanings of healthy and robust largely overlap; however, healthy implies full strength and vigor as well as freedom from signs of disease.

a healthy family

When is sound a more appropriate choice than robust?

The words sound and robust are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sound emphasizes the absence of disease, weakness, or malfunction.

a sound heart

When is it sensible to use well instead of robust?

In some situations, the words well and robust are roughly equivalent. However, well implies merely freedom from disease or illness.

she has never been a well person

When might wholesome be a better fit than robust?

The words wholesome and robust can be used in similar contexts, but wholesome implies appearance and behavior indicating soundness and balance.

a face with a wholesome glow

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 robust However, that has been attributed to robust buying by higher-end consumers, other research shows. —Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 10 Feb. 2026 Job growth is projected at a robust 29% between 2024 and 2034. —Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026 Last fall, Bembury extended beyond his robust list of collaborators by launching his own independent sneaker brand, Spunge. —Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 10 Feb. 2026 Neither process has been robust, with both clubs requiring significant investments in facilities on top of the purchase prices. —Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 10 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for robust
Recent Examples of Synonyms for robust
  1. healthy
  2. energetic
  3. rich
  4. strong
  5. sturdy
  6. dynamic
  7. potent
  8. solid
Adjective
  • Last Thursday, the league issued a $500,000 fine to the Utah Jazz and a $100,000 penalty to the Indiana Pacers for sitting healthy players, believing their apparent tanking actions compromised the league's competitive integrity.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 15 Feb. 2026
  • Because in order to simply be safe during our sport, while expecting a certain level of performance, our bodies need to be healthy.
    — Frederick Dreier, Outside, 14 Feb. 2026
Definition of healthy
Adjective
  • At halftime, Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny delivered an energetic performance featuring his biggest hits, powerful imagery and theatrical nods to songs and symbols from throughout his Spanish-language catalog.
    — Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 9 Feb. 2026
  • The goal of the PUEO mission was to detect radio signals created when highly energetic neutrinos rain down onto the ice.
    — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
Definition of energetic
Adjective
  • Hims and Hers’ ‘Sick of the System’ Sick of rich people having access to higher quality healthcare and GLP-1 drugs?
    — Omar L. Gallaga, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
  • With dark chocolate, a bit of espresso, and a chocolate-peppermint ganache on top, these rich brownies have so much flavor in every bite.
    — Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 8 Feb. 2026
Definition of rich
Adjective
  • Among the recovered materials, dysprosium, ytterbium, and erbium are considered high-value due to strong demand and limited substitutes, while yttrium and gadolinium are widely used in electronics, lighting, and healthcare.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Paris Reuters — French wine and spirits exports fell last year to their lowest volume in at least 25 years as US tariffs and Chinese duties hit sales and a strong euro made some alcohol more expensive, industry group FEVS said on Tuesday, warning of no imminent relief.
    — Reuters 9 hr ago, CNN Money, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of strong
Adjective
  • Limiting Saturn enters your 2nd House of Resources and Self-Worth, encouraging careful budgets and sturdy values.
    — Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Look for strong sturdy leaves that have a nice shape and that are rooted well in the soil.
    — Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of sturdy
Adjective
  • The team aimed to recreate this kind of dynamic control in a soft, synthetic material using digital design rather than complex biological systems.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 6 Feb. 2026
  • The dynamic looks slightly different for photographer Swapnil Junjare.
    — Nikita Khanna, Vogue, 5 Feb. 2026
Definition of dynamic
Adjective
  • By Monday, a potent low-pressure center will come ashore somewhere around the San Francisco Bay Area, blanketing the state in widespread precipitation and gusty winds.
    — Ian Livingston, Washington Post, 14 Feb. 2026
  • With the Epstein story approaching the 10-year mark as a global preoccupation, this nth phase of the intrigue, largely prompted by fallout from the Department of Justice’s July proclamation that there were no further criminal charges in the works, has spawned a potent cottage industry.
    — Dan Adler, Vanity Fair, 14 Feb. 2026
Definition of potent
Adjective
  • Next, environmentally friendly chemicals convert the rare earths from solid to liquid form, allowing selective separation.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Instead of focusing on common gases like water vapor or carbon monoxide, the scientists searched for sulfur-bearing molecules — elements that typically begin as solid grains in a young protoplanetary disk and thus suggest the planet formed through core accretion, according to the statement.
    — Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of solid

Browse Nearby Words

robs
robust
robustious
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Cite this Entry

“Robust.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/robust. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on robust

Nglish: Translation of robust for Spanish Speakers

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