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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 The running game is impactful and the defense, under first-year coordinator Danny Gonzales, looks stout. Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 13 Sep. 2025 The defense was mostly stout, the offense turned it up in the final quarter, and the Lynx prepped for the playoffs with a 72-53 victory over the Valkyries. Mike Cook, Twin Cities, 12 Sep. 2025 A lot went wrong for the Chiefs on the evening, but perhaps their biggest issue was their typically stout defense being gashed for 394 yards, with Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert going 25-for-34 with 318 yards and three touchdowns. Matthew Schmidt, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Sep. 2025 The Buckeyes defense looks to be stout again after winning the national title last season. Erick Smith, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for stout
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stout
Adjective
  • Fall sowing encourages sturdy plants and earlier blooms, which can be quite beneficial in hot Southern climes.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 15 Sep. 2025
  • The sturdy plastic housings resist fading and cracking and are brown in color to blend with most outdoor surfaces.
    Miles Walls, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • However, Schwarber looks like a player right out of the old school with his stocky build.
    John Perrotto, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
  • During the poker game, Bowyer and one of his friends, a stocky guy named Michael Greenberg who had been a fixture at those long-ago high school poker games, began talking to a man seated at the card table.
    DAVID AMSDEN, Rolling Stone, 29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Despite a valiant comeback attempt in the fourth quarter, which included a run of 19 unanswered points, the early miscues essentially buried Carolina in a hole the Panthers couldn’t fully climb out of.
    DIAMOND VENCES, Charlotte Observer, 14 Sep. 2025
  • His boundless pride in America and his valiant belief in free speech will leave a lasting impact.
    Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Strength training can break you out of that state by building muscular support around joints, correcting imbalances and improving overall stability.
    Dana Santas, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
  • City were also without Phil Foden, Mateo Kovacic and Josko Gvardiol before the international break, while John Stones withdrew from the England squad due to a muscular injury.
    Nnamdi Onyeagwara, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • And when the second half started, Gay couldn’t turn a solid Commanders drive into three more points, banging the ball off the right goal post.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 12 Sep. 2025
  • The company's portfolio includes solid rocket motors (SRMs) ranging from 2 inches to 22 inches in diameter for missiles like the Stinger, Javelin, and air-defense interceptors.
    Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • For cheerful blooms that will bloom in the fall, then add color to your garden again the next summer, plant coreopsis, a hardy perennial that comes in a range of vibrant hues.
    Heather Bien, Southern Living, 19 Sep. 2025
  • Make sure your selection is hardy enough to withstand the elements so this autumn decorating idea lasts through the season.
    Savanna Bous, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The formula gets bonus points for not feeling sticky, not traveling or feathering, and smoothing out lip lines for a plump, pouty effect.
    Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
  • The prickly pear extract soothe irration and the brand’s signature VIP O2 complex evens your skin tone and hydrates without any tightness, leaving your face plump, clean, and ready for anything.
    Tanya Akim, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • His friendship and courageous toil for the soul of America always spurred me to do more—for our nation and for the kingdom.
    Brooke L. Rollins, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
  • Highlights the power of inquiry and courageous pivots.
    Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Stout.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stout. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.

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