stalwart 1 of 2

1
as in valiant
feeling or displaying no fear by temperament the stalwart soldiers in the army of Alexander the Great, who willingly followed him to the ends of the known world

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
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stalwart

2 of 2

noun

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of stalwart are stout, strong, sturdy, tenacious, and tough. While all these words mean "showing power to resist or to endure," stalwart suggests an unshakable dependability.

stalwart environmentalists

When is it sensible to use stout instead of stalwart?

The meanings of stout and stalwart largely overlap; however, stout suggests an ability to endure stress, pain, or hard use without giving way.

stout hiking boots

Where would strong be a reasonable alternative to stalwart?

The synonyms strong and stalwart are sometimes interchangeable, but strong may imply power derived from muscular vigor, large size, structural soundness, intellectual or spiritual resources.

strong arms
the defense has a strong case

In what contexts can sturdy take the place of stalwart?

While the synonyms sturdy and stalwart are close in meaning, sturdy implies strength derived from vigorous growth, determination of spirit, solidity of construction.

a sturdy table
people of sturdy independence

When can tenacious be used instead of stalwart?

The words tenacious and stalwart can be used in similar contexts, but 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 stalwart?

In some situations, the words tough and stalwart are roughly equivalent. 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 stalwart
Adjective
The leader after Round 1 on Friday was former San Jose Sharks and Dallas Stars stalwart Joe Pavelski, who retired from the NHL in 2024. Sacbee.com, 12 July 2025 Raley, a stalwart for the Mets’ bullpen in 2023, underwent Tommy John surgery early last season after throwing only seven innings. Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 19 July 2025
Noun
Whether Gunn fell victim to the kryptonite of excessive studio notes, his desire to populate the film with his stalwart company of actors, or the hubris of not needing to offer reasons to be invested in these characters beyond the mere fact of their existence is unclear. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 8 July 2025 From its extensive Bluetooth range to app features like a multi-band EQ and the ability to wake the speaker from rest, the Boom 4 is a stalwart companion that shrugs off dust, weather, and even serious drops without missing a beat. Simon Hill, Wired News, 12 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for stalwart
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stalwart
Adjective
  • Adobe’s Content Authenticity Initiative, OpenAI’s watermarking schemes, and Meta’s attempts at labeling AI content are valiant efforts to protect reality, sure.
    Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
  • Kenya's Faith Kipyegon made a valiant attempt to shatter one of track and field's greatest milestones by becoming the first woman to run a mile in under 4 minutes.
    Scott Neuman, NPR, 26 June 2025
Adjective
  • This results in a charge imbalance that builds up an electric field strong enough to trigger flashes of lightning.
    National Geographic, National Geographic, 13 Jan. 2023
  • According to research from Everytown for Gun Safety, a nonprofit that advocates for gun control, strong gun control laws are correlated with fewer gun deaths.
    Elliot Hughes, Journal Sentinel, 13 Jan. 2023
Adjective
  • That’s where Baker and his team got the idea to find the sturdiest survivors and interbreed them with their Florida siblings.
    Alex Harris July 25, Miami Herald, 25 July 2025
  • The puppeteers then worked from the artist’s sculptures to make sturdier marionettes for performance.
    Ben Miller Laetitia Vançon, New York Times, 24 July 2025
Noun
  • Meat and clothing factories, as well as Amazon fulfillment centers, have been popular employers for Haitian immigrants, local activists say.
    Nicquel Terry Ellis, CNN Money, 28 July 2025
  • Since the collapse of the Oslo peace process and the rise of the second intifada, the activist left has almost vanished.
    David Remnick, New Yorker, 28 July 2025
Adjective
  • Two public transportation enthusiasts embarked on a courageous journey to travel from the Mexican border to Canada, using only local transit, including several buses and trains along the West Coast.
    Doc Louallen, ABC News, 1 Aug. 2025
  • Some were becoming so, like the female war reporters and photographers who battled prejudice and emerged on the scene, including the spectacularly courageous Australian Kate Webb, the French Catherine Leroy and Françoise Demulder, and the Americans Elizabeth Becker and Frances FitzGerald.
    Gary Knight, Rolling Stone, 1 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The Aston Martin Formula One team has confirmed that Fernando Alonso will not be taking part in the Hungarian Grand Prix Free Practice 1 session due to a muscular injury in his back.
    Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Aug. 2025
  • Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers this week continued tests of a possible alternative countermeasure to muscular atrophy.
    Robert Z. Pearlman, Space.com, 1 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Finland, who have not progressed past the Euros’ group stage since 2009, and Wales, making their major tournament debut, each brought thousands of vocal supporters.
    Cerys Jones, New York Times, 26 July 2025
  • At the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Hogan attempted to resurrect his wrestling persona to appease a sea of devoted Trump supporters who were not there to cheer for him.
    John DeVore, Rolling Stone, 26 July 2025
Adjective
  • Psychological Safety and Bravery Fuel Growth Creating an environment of psychological safety and building the capability of brave communication is the winning combination.
    Jill Schulman, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025
  • The tragic loss of a brave police officer and innocent civilians is far too common.
    Chad de Guzman, Time, 29 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Stalwart.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stalwart. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.

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