STALWART Synonyms: 251 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

stalwart 1 of 2

adjective

ˈstȯl-wərt

Definition of stalwart

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

as in strong

having muscles capable of exerting great physical force a stalwart yet lithe athlete

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in sturdy

marked by the ability to withstand stress without structural damage or distortion the stalwart walls of the castle

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

stalwart

2 of 2

noun

as in activist

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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

Chief Justice John Roberts, a stalwart conservative, dissented from the portion of Alito's ruling that reversed Roe. — Jan Wolfe Reuters, Arkansas Online, 25 Sep. 2026 Carolina Panthers inside linebacker Devin Lloyd was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week on Tuesday, after his stalwart performance against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 2. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 23 Sep. 2026

Noun

Mack was a defensive stalwart, throwing out 26 baserunners and being credited with nine defensive runs saved by FanGraphs. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 28 Sep. 2026 Entering the second half down 10-3, the Panthers defense looked stalwart in the third quarter, holding the Browns to just nine plays and three yards over three drives. — Charlotte Observer, 27 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stalwart

Recent Examples of Synonyms for stalwart

Adjective

The Florida Panthers were able to mount a valiant comeback in San Jose, rallying from three goals down in the second period and scoring two in the third before ultimately falling in overtime.

— Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Despite a valiant effort on the water, that milestone failed to normalize a more ever-present female presence at the Cup for almost three decades.

— Stefano Pozzebon, CNN Money, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of valiant

Adjective

But zest was one of just two strengths (the other is hope) that had the strongest relationship to mental well-being across countries and age groups.

— Joan M. Cook, Time, 17 Oct. 2026
However, some safety advocates and Senator Maria Cantwell want a stronger federal review process.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of strong

Adjective

The shoes balanced on a slender yet sturdy stiletto heel measuring around three inches.

— Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026
The result has been sturdy economic growth, even as lower-income and even middle-income households have continued to struggle under stubborn inflation and declining earnings.

— Rob Wile, NBC news, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of sturdy

Noun

Rowling has been staunchly critical of transgender rights activists, funding legal efforts to protect women’s rights and penning X/Twitter posts that are considered to be attacks by the trans community.

— Jake Kanter, Deadline, 17 Oct. 2026
In August, Israel indicted a settler in the killing of a Palestinian activist.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of activist

Adjective

Sadly, sports reformers across the country have abandoned the hard work of courageous whistleblowers, such as Bensel-Meyers, and now sing the tune of college athlete compensation.

— Bruce Svare, Sportico.com, 17 Oct. 2026
Being gay was still uncharted territory and their trust, at a time when visibility was dangerous, was courageous.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of courageous

Adjective

The team revised Rotta’s face and coloring to bring him closer to Jabba while refining his muscular physique.

— Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
Rubio’s idea of the West is both messier and simpler, populated by muscular explorers and conquerors, from Alexander the Great and the Frankish king Charlemagne to the conquistador Hernán Cortés and the frontiersmen of the American West.

— Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of muscular

Noun

Even some supporters of capital punishment, including a number of Republican lawmakers, seemed repelled by the prospect.

— Amy Davidson Sorkin, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2026
The bottom line of Milton Friedman and other supporters of neoliberalism was that there has to be effective competition, there has to be open entry.

— John E. McDonough, STAT, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of supporter

Adjective

Prioritizing oneself is something Ariana Grande has been brave about as well, with Grande perhaps the poster child for the biggest mental health story of the year.

— Rob LeDonne, Billboard, 10 Oct. 2026
There were a lot of brave guys who stayed to fight there — and people at home don't know what happened.

— Jonah Kaplan, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of brave

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“Stalwart.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stalwart. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of stalwart

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