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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 For a more stout climb, the 8.5-mile roundtrip hike to Melakwa Lake in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness is a real gem. Megan Michelson, Outside Online, 26 Feb. 2025 Defensive Change: a more stout DLine complementing a more athletic LB corps. Jesse Temple, The Athletic, 24 Feb. 2025 While the economy continues to grow at a pretty stout rate and unemployment remains at rock-bottom levels, the prices for almost everything continue to climb. Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 14 Feb. 2025 Megalodon’s teeth resemble those of a modern great white shark, so some scientists previously concluded that the two sharks had a similar stout body shape. Kate Golembiewski, CNN, 11 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for stout
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stout
Adjective
  • Parker Hall The Best Workout Headphones for Moving Around Constantly Rock your inner jock with a pair of sturdy, sweatproof, and tangle-proof headphones.
    Brad Bourque, WIRED, 15 Mar. 2025
  • The exterior is made from a sturdy and durable polycarbonate material that won’t easily wear and tear, even after longhaul travel.
    Megan Schaltegger, Travel + Leisure, 15 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • An hour ago, the stocky British actor best known on these shores for playing tough guys and gangsters was on a morning talk show, after having chatted with Jimmy Fallon the previous evening.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 22 Mar. 2025
  • Cooper concluded that a megalodon would have been a stocky, powerful shark—measuring some 52 feet (16 meters) in length with a body mass of 67.86 tons—able to execute bursts of high speed to attack prey, much like the significantly smaller great white shark.
    Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 9 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The rest of the episode shows the Current’s valiant efforts despite the loss in the NWSL semifinals against Orlando.
    Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 7 Mar. 2025
  • The animal fell into an icy river in the Xinjiang city of Kashgar recently, according to footage of the valiant rescue effort and a description shared by Newsflare.
    Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • That muscular electric motor’s torque is the real difference that makes this E-class a worthy AMG tuner car for those who value the benefits of exemplary performance but don’t need a snarling beast of a high-performance car.
    Mark Ewing, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025
  • Erectile tissue expands and contracts based on muscular action.
    Alice Jones Webb, Outdoor Life, 21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Still, in a game that featured an abundance of high-level basketball, even a solid game from Brown might have been enough.
    Jay King, The Athletic, 13 Mar. 2025
  • This sign is crafted from solid wood and has a burlap string and bow, along with a rainbow marshmallow peep design.
    Maggie Horton, People.com, 12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Sweet gum grows 60-75 feet tall and is hardy in Zones 5-9. 06 of 07 Tulip Tree Tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) roots are fleshy and sparse.
    Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Trees and shrubs that have historically been hardy in this area can also struggle with frost in the early spring.
    Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Tortellini are plump and tender after simmering in the sauce—no need to cook them before adding to the pan.
    Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 10 Mar. 2025
  • Pre-soaked for easy use, each pad combines retinol and collagen for smoothing and added firmness, making your skin feel refreshed, plump and revitalized in one easy step.
    Maria Correa, Miami Herald, 3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Her courageous work in eastern Ukraine stands in direct contrast to Trump and Putin, who heap praise on each other and ignore the devastation to Ukraine, an ignorance that not even death and injury to women and children can penetrate.
    Bob Kustra, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2025
  • The book’s premise revolves around Zachary, a courageous eight-year-old diagnosed with a terminal pediatric cancer, who has an enlightening dream where God approaches him with a mission.
    Catharine Kaufman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Stout.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stout. Accessed 26 Mar. 2025.

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