strong

adjective

ˈstrȯŋ How to pronounce strong (audio)
Definition of strongnext
1
as in muscular
having muscles capable of exerting great physical force I need some strong people to help me move furniture

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2
as in powerful
having great power or influence a time when the country needs a strong leader

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3
as in sturdy
able to withstand hardship, strain, or exposure the doctor soon declared her strong enough to go home from the hospital

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4
as in spicy
having a powerfully stimulating odor or flavor the garlic in the sauce is almost too strong that's mighty strong perfume you're wearing

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5
as in rich
having an abundance of some characteristic quality (as flavor) strong coffee

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6
as in ripe
having an unpleasant smell the dog's strong breath nearly bowled me over

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7
as in compelling
having the power to persuade made a strong argument for starting school an hour later each day

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8
as in stable
marked by the ability to withstand stress without structural damage or distortion buildings strong enough to withstand an earthquake

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9
as in solid
not showing weakness or uncertainty a strong belief in the value of hard work

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Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of strong are stalwart, stout, sturdy, tenacious, and tough. While all these words mean "showing power to resist or to endure," 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 might stalwart be a better fit than strong?

The meanings of stalwart and strong largely overlap; however, stalwart suggests an unshakable dependability.

stalwart environmentalists

When would stout be a good substitute for strong?

The words stout and strong can be used in similar contexts, but stout suggests an ability to endure stress, pain, or hard use without giving way.

stout hiking boots

When is it sensible to use sturdy instead of strong?

The words sturdy and strong are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sturdy implies strength derived from vigorous growth, determination of spirit, solidity of construction.

a sturdy table
people of sturdy independence

Where would tenacious be a reasonable alternative to strong?

In some situations, the words tenacious and strong are roughly equivalent. However, 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 strong?

Although the words tough and strong have much in common, 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 strong Markey has a strong following of young supporters, some of whom say that the internal party debate is more over policy than age. — ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026 Few leaders of either party have discussed the revival of serious nuclear talks with Russia, an idea that used to have strong bipartisan support. — William Hartung, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026 Trask would be a strong candidate to join the Panthers’ practice squad if King, in fact, remains sidelined due to injury. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 30 Aug. 2026 Everything from colors and patterns to specific furniture pieces and design styles are sparking strong emotions, and the result is that some color combinations are returning to interior design—specifically, those from the early 2000s. — Kristina McGuirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for strong
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strong
  1. muscular
  2. powerful
  3. sturdy
  4. spicy
  5. rich
  6. ripe
  7. compelling
  8. solid
Adjective
  • The sense of doom freed them to push hard into a rich new pop direction, filling Sound of Lies with songs that were deeply felt and sometimes dark amid the muscular pop hooks.
    — Steve Appleford, SPIN, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Years later, while O’Brien was developing Rocky Horror, the two ran into each other outside a London gym where O’Brien had been scouting muscular men for the show.
    — Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of muscular
Adjective
  • Experts said it was most likely caused by a partial glacier collapse that sent tons of ice and rock crashing down into the valley below, setting off a powerful landslide.
    — Jennifer Jett, NBC news, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Hacking incident Hugging Face was recently at the center of a hacking incident that raised concerns about the rapid evolution of powerful AI and cybersecurity tools.
    — April Roach, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of powerful
Adjective
  • Natural and lab-grown diamonds are sturdy enough to hold up to everyday wear, with gems like sapphire and moissanite right behind them.
    — Larissa Ratschkowski, Glamour, 30 Aug. 2026
  • These sturdy and reliable machines are great for both knocking out homework and streaming Netflix, with a big 24-inch FHD monitor that boasts good brightness and wide viewing angles.
    — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of sturdy
Adjective
  • Nightcap is a deliciously addictive gourmand, blending cozy vanilla and rich woods with sparkling ginger and cardamom for a spicy-sweet twist.
    — Allure Editors, Allure, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The dish is spicy enough and not so thick with cream or flour and is a standout in the clam chowder world, according to Times reader Mary Ann Mollenkamp.
    — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of spicy
Adjective
  • So these ingredients can significantly boost fiber intake without adding traditional fiber-rich foods.
    — Amber Raiken, Verywell Health, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Norman is the 26th richest member of Congress, including both the House of Representatives and the Senate, according to Quiver Quantitative Live Net Worth Tracker's list.
    — Jay Stahl, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of rich
Adjective
  • Having suffered a near-death experience during the pandemic, this hotel search site would seem ripe for disruption in an age of AI.
    — Diane Brady, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026
  • There are 47 profiles that may be ripe for identification using genetic genealogy, Odien told ABC News.
    — Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of ripe
Adjective
  • How widespread those changes will be is a compelling question.
    — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • This involves understanding and speaking the client's language, translating complex technology into tangible business outcomes, and delivering compelling presentations.
    — William Arruda, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of compelling
Adjective
  • Made with solid brush fibers, the applicator combs and controls the placement of the product so the finish is clump-free.
    — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Minasian didn’t deny that there have been problems in the ninth inning, and his larger point was that the Giants have solid relievers who can be part of a good bullpen.
    — Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of solid

Phrases Containing strong

Browse Nearby Words

strolls
strong
strong-arm
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Cite this Entry

“Strong.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strong. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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