Robust — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /rō-ˈbəst/ ro·bust

Meaning & Definition of Robust

Robust (adjective)

  1. having or exhibiting strength or vigorous health
  2. having or showing vigor, strength, or firmness
  3. strongly formed or constructed, sturdy

Robust (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. enjoying health and vigor

    "a robust and sturdy toddler"

    similar: able-bodied, bouncing, fit, hale, healthy, hearty, sound, well, well-conditioned, whole, wholesome, in fine fettle, in shape, in the pink
    related: hard, hardy, iron, lusty, rugged, stalwart, strong, sturdy, tough, ambulatory, nondisabled, uncrippled, active, agile, chipper, lively, sprightful, sprightly, spry, vigorous, vital, blooming, clean-cut, flourishing, flush, prospering, thriving, all right, good, right
    opposite: ailing, diseased, ill, sick, unfit, unhealthy, unsound, unwell
    near: decrepit, enfeebled, feeble, infirm, run-down, sickened, sickly, weak, weakened, weakly, worn-out, debilitated, differently abled, disabled, incapacitated, delicate, fragile, frail, emaciated, gaunt, haggard, malnourished, undernourished, afflicted, troubled, bad, poorly

  2. having active strength of body or mind

    "a robust older man who still bicycles 10 miles a day"

    similar: dynamic, energetic, flush, gingery, lusty, peppy, red-blooded, vigorous, vital
    related: animated, brisk, dashing, kinetic, lively, punchy, spirited, sprightly, vivacious, energized, enlivened, invigorated, vitalized, firm, fortified, mettlesome, mighty, powerful, puissant, strong, refreshed, rejuvenated, revitalized, able-bodied, athletic, beefy, brawny, burly, fit, hardy, husky, muscular, robustious, rugged, stalwart, stout, strapping, sturdy, tough, virile, hale, healthy, hearty, sound, capable, competent
    opposite: dull, lethargic, listless, sluggish, torpid
    near: delicate, effete, enervated, faint, feeble, frail, infirm, wan, weak, weakened, impotent, powerless, prostrate, prostrated, sapped, tired, indolent, lackadaisical, languid, lazy, invertebrate, nerveless, soft, spineless, wimpy, ill, unhealthy, unsound, unwell, broken-down, debilitated, decrepit, disabled, wasted, worn-out

  3. having an abundance of some characteristic quality (as flavor)

    "beef and other red meats should be accompanied by robust wines"

    similar: big, concentrated, full, full-bodied, heady, lusty, muscular, plush, potent, rich, strong
    related: heavy, straight, undiluted, unmixed, high-octane, high-test, enriched, fortified
    opposite: delicate, light, mild, thin, thinned, weak, weakened
    near: dilute, diluted, watered-down, watery

  4. not showing weakness or uncertainty

    "a robust slap on the back welcoming me to the company"

    similar: firm, forceful, hearty, iron, lusty, solid, stout, strong, sturdy, vigorous
    related: hard, ironclad, mighty, powerful, tough, unyielding, animated, brisk, energetic, frisky, jaunty, jazzy, lively, peppy, perky, spirited, sprightful, sprightly, springy, vital, vivacious, zippy, assured, certain, confident, sanguine, secure, sure
    opposite: uncertain, weak
    near: feeble, fragile, frail, limp, listless, spiritless, diffident, insecure, self-doubting, characterless, effete, spineless, weakened, weak-kneed, wimpy, wishy-washy

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Robust

The most common words with a similar meaning to Robust:

able-bodied, bouncing, fit, hale, healthy, hearty, sound, well, well-conditioned, whole, wholesome, dynamic, energetic, flush, gingery, lusty, peppy, red-blooded, vigorous, vital, big, concentrated, full, full-bodied, heady, muscular, plush, potent, rich, strong, firm, forceful, iron, solid, stout, sturdy, in fine fettle, in shape, in the pink

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Robust

Words with the opposite meaning of Robust:

ailing, diseased, ill, sick, unfit, unhealthy, unsound, unwell, dull, lethargic, listless, sluggish, torpid, delicate, light, mild, thin, thinned, weak, weakened, uncertain

Related Words for Robust

hard, hardy, rugged, stalwart, tough, ambulatory, nondisabled, uncrippled, active, agile, chipper, lively, sprightful, sprightly, spry, blooming, clean-cut, flourishing, prospering, thriving, all right, good, right, animated, brisk, dashing, kinetic, punchy, spirited, vivacious

Near Antonyms of Robust

decrepit, enfeebled, feeble, infirm, run-down, sickened, sickly, weakly, worn-out, debilitated, differently abled, disabled, incapacitated, fragile, frail, emaciated, gaunt, haggard, malnourished, undernourished, afflicted, troubled, bad, poorly, effete, enervated, faint, wan, impotent, powerless

Word Forms of Robust

Derived words: robustly (adverb), robustness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Robust

Latin robustus oaken, strong, from robor-, robur oak, strength

First known use: 15th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Robust

Frequently Asked Questions about Robust

What does "Robust" mean?

"Robust" means having or exhibiting strength or vigorous health. As an adjective, it is defined as: having or exhibiting strength or vigorous health. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Robust"?

Other words for "Robust" include able-bodied, bouncing, fit, hale, healthy, hearty, sound and well. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Robust" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Robust"?

There are 112 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Robust". Common alternatives include able-bodied, bouncing, fit, hale, healthy, hearty, sound, well, well-conditioned and whole.

What is the opposite of "Robust"?

Antonyms of "Robust" include ailing, diseased, ill, sick, unfit, unhealthy, unsound and unwell. Near antonyms include decrepit, enfeebled, feeble and infirm.

How do you use "Robust" in a sentence?

Examples of "Robust" in a sentence: "a robust and sturdy toddler"; "a robust older man who still bicycles 10 miles a day"; "beef and other red meats should be accompanied by robust wines".

Is "Robust" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Robust" is an adjective.

Is "Robust" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Robust" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Robust"?

"Robust" is pronounced /rō-ˈbəst/ and divided into syllables as ro·bust.