STOUT Synonyms: 341 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

stout

adjective

ˈstau̇t

Definition of stout

as in sturdy

able to withstand hardship, strain, or exposure erected a stout wooden fence to keep the wild animals out

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in stocky

being compact and broad in build and often short in stature the wrestler is stout in build, so he is frequently underestimated by his opponents

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

as in muscular

having muscles capable of exerting great physical force covered wagons drawn by stout oxen

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in solid

not showing weakness or uncertainty a stout defender of women's rights in the third world

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Tigers’ stout defense combined with another stellar Austin Simmons performance can put this game out of reach early. — Pj Green october 5, Kansas City Star, 5 Oct. 2026 The stranger approached the store owner, a stout man waving a rattan fan lazily at his face while sitting at the till. — Rachel Heng, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2026 The 49ers came in scoring touchdowns on nearly half of their possessions, but struggled to move the ball against Denver's stout defense. — ABC News, 4 Oct. 2026 The Texans' run defense has been stout, but the Cowboys couldn’t care less about that. — J.j. Bailey, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stout

Recent Examples of Synonyms for stout

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

Adjective

Jos Weyers, a stocky man with glasses who is one of the group’s senior members, was dressed in all black.

— Shayla Love, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2026
Introduced in the 1970s to maintain the open grassy balds, these stocky, sure-footed ponies have become beloved icons.

— Erin Gifford, Southern Living, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of stocky

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

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

Adjective

Kansas City is investigating how one of its solid waste trucks struck a bicyclist over the weekend, leaving the rider with life-threatening injuries.

— Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 14 Oct. 2026
The Packers themselves have been solid as a team offensively, but notably rank dead last in the league in rushing yards.

— Jonathan Rubin, Charlotte Observer, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of solid

Adjective

Although generally hardy, the plant is susceptible to certain diseases, including anthracnose and bacterial soft rot, as well as pests such as spider mites, caterpillars, and whiteflies.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Oct. 2026
Cold-hardy brassicas like kale only need to be covered when temperatures fall to 26 to 28°F, and light frosts potentially make these veggies taste better and sweeter.

— Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of hardy

Adjective

Meanwhile, nano-hyaluronic acid and hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid draw in and hold onto moisture, leaving skin feeling plump and supple without weighing it down.

— Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 7 Oct. 2026
The brothel is huge and painted black, like a plump beetle luxuriating in the sun, and the opulence of its internal decoration is matched by Kate herself.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of plump

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

Browse Nearby Words

stoups

stout

stouthearted

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

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

Copy Citation

Synonyms of stout

adjective

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

From 'Ale' to 'Zymurgy': 8 Words About...

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

jilt

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes

Synonyms of stout

adjective

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Articles Related to stout

From 'Ale' to 'Zymurgy': 8 Words About...

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

jilt

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes