STURDY Synonyms: 146 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'sturdy' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of sturdy are stalwart , stout , strong , tenacious , and tough . While all these words mean "showing power to resist or to endure," sturdy implies strength derived from vigorous growth, determination of spirit, solidity of construction. // a sturdy table // people of sturdy independence

Q: When might 'stalwart' be a better fit than 'sturdy'?

While in some cases nearly identical to sturdy , stalwart suggests an unshakable dependability. // stalwart environmentalists

Q: When could 'stout' be used to replace 'sturdy'?

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

Q: When is 'strong' a more appropriate choice than 'sturdy'?

The words strong and sturdy are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, strong may imply power derived from muscular vigor, large size, structural soundness, intellectual or spiritual resources. // strong arms // the defense has a strong case

Q: When is it sensible to use 'tenacious' instead of 'sturdy'?

Although the words tenacious and sturdy have much in common, tenacious suggests strength in seizing, retaining, clinging to, or holding together. // tenacious farmers clinging to an age-old way of life

Q: In what contexts can 'tough' take the place of 'sturdy'?

The words tough and sturdy can be used in similar contexts, but tough implies great firmness and resiliency. // a tough political opponent

sturdy

adjective

ˈstər-dē

Definition of sturdy

as in hardy

able to withstand hardship, strain, or exposure it took a sturdy person to endure the life of a pioneer

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in strong

marked by the ability to withstand stress without structural damage or distortion wear sturdy boots because we will be going over sharp rocks and uneven terrain

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in solid

not showing weakness or uncertainty you'll need a sturdy grasp of the concepts of algebra before you can take calculus

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of sturdy are stalwart, stout, strong, tenacious, and tough. While all these words mean "showing power to resist or to endure," sturdy implies strength derived from vigorous growth, determination of spirit, solidity of construction.

a sturdy table

people of sturdy independence

When might stalwart be a better fit than sturdy?

While in some cases nearly identical to sturdy, stalwart suggests an unshakable dependability.

stalwart environmentalists

When could stout be used to replace sturdy?

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

stout hiking boots

When is strong a more appropriate choice than sturdy?

The words strong and sturdy are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 is it sensible to use tenacious instead of sturdy?

Although the words tenacious and sturdy have much in common, 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 sturdy?

The words tough and sturdy can be used in similar contexts, but 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 sturdy Unlike plastic containers, these sturdy steel swaps won’t stain, warp, or hold onto pesky odors. — Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Sep. 2026 The ginger and cinnamon simmer until intensely fragrant before strong black tea joins the pot; Assam is ideal, though sturdy tea bags like PG Tips work too. — Carla Lalli Music, Bon Appetit Magazine, 25 Sep. 2026 But this covering isn’t made from metal or even a sturdy material like bullet-proof Kevlar. — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 24 Sep. 2026 Luckily for us, Yeti makes the most sturdy, durable, and easy-to-use gear, from coolers to outdoor blankets and even camp chairs. — Red Fabbri, Travel + Leisure, 22 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sturdy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sturdy

Adjective

These hardy plants often flower without assistance, but cutting them back to the ground in late fall increases their chance of double blooming next year.

— Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Sep. 2026
Of course, a yeast that can survive on Mars is … well, a yeast that can survive on Mars, which could actually risk contaminating the planet with hardy and fast-multiplying Earth microbes.

— Kiona N. Smith, Space.com, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of hardy

Adjective

Mercury in Scorpio squares Mars in Leo, making opinions stronger, reactions quicker, and certain conversations easier to escalate than intended.

— Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026
Fire officials had also failed to take advantage of satellite imagery after strong winds grounded their typical eyes in the sky, aircraft.

— Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of strong

Adjective

Officials at the meeting discussed the rise in yields, attributing them to expectations for higher rates from the Fed as well as the build-out in artificial intelligence and solid economic growth.

— Jeff Cox, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026
All of these features sit on a durable Goodyear® Performance Outsole, so from the heel to the toe and from the top to the bottom, their feet are in for a solid, supportive run.

— Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of solid

Adjective

Next, save 30% on the JBL Grip Bluetooth speaker for rugged outdoor sound.

— Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 2 Oct. 2026
International Harvester built the original Scout from 1961 to 1980, establishing its reputation as a rugged, versatile vehicle for off-road and everyday use.

— Chase Jordan October 2, Charlotte Observer, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of rugged

Adjective

That means investing in durable foundations such as data, architecture, governance and security; shortening planning cycles; and being willing to stop funding initiatives that no longer create differentiated value.

— Rahul Saluja, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026
That tension manifested in 2026 as two once-popular sustainable fashion brands saw ownership change hands after struggling to turn their models into durable businesses.

— Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of durable

Adjective

Denver is a tough place to play, and the Broncos defense is stout.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026
Despite the offensive struggles, a stout defense kept the Panthers within striking distance, allowing FAU (2-1) to score only 10 points off those three turnovers.

— Alejandro Hernandez, Miami Herald, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of stout

Adjective

Real estate can provide stable income or appreciation through active value creation, while technology investments offer exposure to emerging businesses and new models of growth.

— Connie Etemadi, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026
Neuralink says the approach can make those signals more stable and useful for controlling computers.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of stable

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“Sturdy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sturdy. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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