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as in valiant
feeling or displaying no fear by temperament stout souls who boldly ventured forward, not knowing what kinds of danger they faced

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of stout are stalwart, strong, sturdy, tenacious, and tough. While all these words mean "showing power to resist or to endure," stout suggests an ability to endure stress, pain, or hard use without giving way.

stout hiking boots

When can stalwart be used instead of stout?

While the synonyms stalwart and stout are close in meaning, stalwart suggests an unshakable dependability.

stalwart environmentalists

Where would strong be a reasonable alternative to stout?

In some situations, the words strong and stout are roughly equivalent. However, 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 would sturdy be a good substitute for stout?

The words sturdy and stout can be used in similar contexts, but sturdy implies strength derived from vigorous growth, determination of spirit, solidity of construction.

a sturdy table
people of sturdy independence

When might tenacious be a better fit than stout?

The words tenacious and stout are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 stout?

The meanings of tough and stout largely overlap; 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 stout Vrabel is banking on that group to both be stout against the run and inject life into a Patriots pass rush that ranked last in the NFL in sacks and sack rate in 2024. Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 9 June 2025 The Seahawks privately blamed Dodson for not being stout enough against the run, crediting him with making many of his 71 tackles in nine games downfield, after respectable gains had been made. Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 5 June 2025 It's designed to capture and filter rainwater runoff and allow it to be absorbed into the ground. of 20 New England Aster This easy-to-grow perennial has a stout robust habit. Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 June 2025 This is having a spillover effect to other stout offerings in the U.S. Erik Ofgang, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for stout
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stout
Adjective
  • Uwharrie National Forest About 1 hour and 15 minutes from Charlotte Pack sunscreen, bug spray, sturdy walking shoes, and lots of water and snacks for a day trip to Uwharrie National Forest—one of four national forests in North Carolina—and the Badin Lake Recreation Area.
    Lydia Mansel, Southern Living, 7 June 2025
  • Yet while hiring generally has slowed, other economists figured job growth remained sturdy last month as companies frustrated by labor shortages during the pandemic continued to curtail layoffs.
    Paul Davidson, USA Today, 7 June 2025
Adjective
  • Small and stocky birds perch, hunched over, on the treetops and branches of Lake Okeechobee on the edge of Florida’s swampy Everglades for the better part of winter.
    Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 4 June 2025
  • By contrast, the large but not gigantic great white is fairly stocky.
    Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 11 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • When senior Celina Frenz wasn’t dancing through defenders to create pressure, Kocher’s ability to find Meisner darting in from the left wing was the codebreaker against a valiant effort from Timnath.
    Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 20 May 2025
  • Panthers in an 0-2 hole in the series Despite a valiant effort once again in the third — putting up 37 shot attempts and 15 scoring chances (including 10 high-danger chances) — the Panthers fell 4-3 to the Maple Leafs and are now 0-2 in the best-of-7 series.
    Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 8 May 2025
Adjective
  • Maintaining optimal levels can help with cognitive and muscular function, as well as hydration levels and fatigue.
    Morgan Fargo, Vogue, 4 June 2025
  • In this muscular but graceful performance, Torres shows us what resistance truly means.
    Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 4 June 2025
Adjective
  • The Eufy Life mobile app is solid, including easy at-a-glance views, long-term charts, and drill-down capabilities.
    Christopher Null, Wired News, 4 June 2025
  • The aim is to churn out 3 million meters of fabric each month, whether natural or man-made, solid or print, knit or woven.
    Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 3 June 2025
Adjective
  • To restore the balance, residents, farmers and the local school joined forces to bring back a hardy native breed: the Old Norwegian Sheep.
    David Nikel, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
  • City’s video tribute was a tear-jerker, and less hardy characters than De Bruyne — nicknamed ‘the tumble dryer’ due to his dry (and blunt) approach — would surely have cracked and let the tears roll.
    Sam Lee, New York Times, 21 May 2025
Adjective
  • It’s powered by ultra-low molecular collagen that penetrates deeply to firm and smooth fine lines, while oligo-hyaluronic acid hydrates better and faster than traditional HA, sinking in deeper and faster, leaving skin plump without heaviness.
    Marie Lodi, Allure, 2 June 2025
  • Perhaps the best perk of the suite was the large balcony with ample plump seating and an atmospheric floor lamp, a glorious extension of the indoor space for prime castle viewing.
    Kathryn Romeyn, Travel + Leisure, 14 May 2025
Adjective
  • On June 26, Mercury’s debut in Leo inspires us to be more expressive, confident and courageous in our exchanges.
    Valerie Mesa, People.com, 1 June 2025
  • Sebastian Carmona became the lead plaintiff and was joined by other courageous Salinas Valley farmworkers.
    Ignacio Ornelas Rodriguez, Mercury News, 30 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Stout.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stout. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.

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