Sturdy — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˈstər-dē/ stur·dy

Meaning & Definition of Sturdy

Sturdy (adjective)

  1. firmly built or constituted, stout
  2. hardy
  3. sound in design or execution, substantial

Sturdy (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. able to withstand hardship, strain, or exposure

    "it took a sturdy person to endure the life of a pioneer"

    similar: cast-iron, hard, hard-bitten, hardened, hardy, inured, rugged, stout, strong, tough, toughened, vigorous
    related: flinty, leathery, resilient, stalwart, durable, enduring, everlasting, immortal, imperishable, lasting, permanent, stable, staunch, staying, tenacious, unyielding, flourishing, prospering, thriving, able-bodied, brawny, muscular, fit, fortified, hale, healthy, husky, lusty, red-blooded, robust, sound, strapping, virile, annealed, seasoned, tempered
    opposite: delicate, nonhardy, soft, tender, weak
    near: emasculated, enervated, enfeebled, exhausted, run-down, sapped, wasted, weakened, worn, worn-out, crippled, debilitated, diseased, incapacitated, infirm, unsound, fragile, frail, puny, resistless, sensitive, susceptible, unresistant, vulnerable, yielding, mortal, perishable, temporary, transient

  2. marked by the ability to withstand stress without structural damage or distortion

    "wear sturdy boots because we will be going over sharp rocks and uneven terrain"

    similar: bombproof, fast, firm, sound, stable, stalwart, strong
    related: dependable, durable, reliable, infrangible, irrefragable, unbreakable, beefy, solid, cohesive, tough
    opposite: rickety, unsound, unstable, unsteady
    near: infirm, insecure, weak, shaky, tottering, tottery, unbalanced, wobbly, unsubstantial

  3. not showing weakness or uncertainty

    "you'll need a sturdy grasp of the concepts of algebra before you can take calculus"

    similar: firm, forceful, hearty, iron, lusty, robust, solid, stout, strong, 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 Sturdy

The most common words with a similar meaning to Sturdy:

cast-iron, hard, hard-bitten, hardened, hardy, inured, rugged, stout, strong, tough, toughened, vigorous, bombproof, fast, firm, sound, stable, stalwart, forceful, hearty, iron, lusty, robust, solid

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Sturdy

Words with the opposite meaning of Sturdy:

delicate, nonhardy, soft, tender, weak, rickety, unsound, unstable, unsteady, uncertain

Related Words for Sturdy

flinty, leathery, resilient, durable, enduring, everlasting, immortal, imperishable, lasting, permanent, staunch, staying, tenacious, unyielding, flourishing, prospering, thriving, able-bodied, brawny, muscular, fit, fortified, hale, healthy, husky, red-blooded, strapping, virile, annealed, seasoned

Near Antonyms of Sturdy

emasculated, enervated, enfeebled, exhausted, run-down, sapped, wasted, weakened, worn, worn-out, crippled, debilitated, diseased, incapacitated, infirm, fragile, frail, puny, resistless, sensitive, susceptible, unresistant, vulnerable, yielding, mortal, perishable, temporary, transient, insecure, shaky

Word Forms of Sturdy

Inflections: sturdier, sturdiest

Derived words: sturdily (adverb), sturdiness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Sturdy

Middle English, brave, stubborn, from Anglo-French esturdi stunned, from past participle of esturdir to stun, from Vulgar Latin *exturdire, from Latin ex- + Vulgar Latin *turdus simpleton, from Latin turdus thrush thrush

First known use: 14th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Sturdy

What does "Sturdy" mean?

"Sturdy" means firmly built or constituted, stout. As an adjective, it is defined as: firmly built or constituted, stout. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Sturdy"?

Other words for "Sturdy" include cast-iron, hard, hard-bitten, hardened, hardy, inured, rugged and stout. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Sturdy" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Sturdy"?

There are 87 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Sturdy". Common alternatives include cast-iron, hard, hard-bitten, hardened, hardy, inured, rugged, stout, strong and tough.

What is the opposite of "Sturdy"?

Antonyms of "Sturdy" include delicate, nonhardy, soft, tender, weak, rickety, unsound and unstable. Near antonyms include emasculated, enervated, enfeebled and exhausted.

How do you use "Sturdy" in a sentence?

Examples of "Sturdy" in a sentence: "it took a sturdy person to endure the life of a pioneer"; "wear sturdy boots because we will be going over sharp rocks and uneven terrain"; "you'll need a sturdy grasp of the concepts of algebra before you can take calculus".

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

"Sturdy" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Sturdy"?

"Sturdy" is pronounced /ˈstər-dē/ and divided into syllables as stur·dy.

What is the origin of the word "Sturdy"?

"Sturdy" comes from Middle English, brave, stubborn, from Anglo-French esturdi stunned, from past participle of esturdir to stun, from Vulgar Latin *exturdire, from Latin ex- + Vulgar Latin *turdus simpleton, from Latin turdus thrush thrush. First known use: 14th century.