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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 After his ice-cold start that was due, in large part, to Jaden McDaniels’ stout defense, Gilgeous-Alexander was spectacular in the second half (20 points, five assists, four rebounds, eight-of-14 shooting and a plus-25 rating as the Thunder dominated 70-40). Sam Amick, New York Times, 21 May 2025 Normally, heavy tackle is preferred, including a stout casting rod and 15 to 18-pound-test line, so heavy fish can be kept from diving into weeds or under logs. Don Shiner, Outdoor Life, 14 May 2025 The Western Kentucky product is undersized at 5-foot-8, but a stout tackler and playmaker in the run game. Luca Evans, Denver Post, 16 Apr. 2025 That pair earned a 57 percent expected goal rate while playing matchup minutes in the regular season, but their defense wasn’t as stout against the Devils in Round 1. The Athletic Nhl, New York Times, 3 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for stout
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stout
Adjective
  • Yet while hiring generally has slowed, other economists figured job growth remained sturdy last month as companies frustrated by labor shortages during the pandemic continued to curtail layoffs.
    Paul Davidson, USA Today, 7 June 2025
  • Uwharrie National Forest About 1 hour and 15 minutes from Charlotte Pack sunscreen, bug spray, sturdy walking shoes, and lots of water and snacks for a day trip to Uwharrie National Forest—one of four national forests in North Carolina—and the Badin Lake Recreation Area.
    Lydia Mansel, Southern Living, 7 June 2025
Adjective
  • Introduced in the 1970s to maintain the open grassy balds, these stocky, sure-footed ponies have become beloved icons.
    Erin Gifford, Southern Living, 31 May 2025
  • The headliner on Friday was Ryan Garcia, a lanky heartthrob from Victorville, California, who was one of the sport’s brightest stars when he was knocked out, two years ago, by Gervonta Davis, a stocky virtuoso from Baltimore.
    Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 6 May 2025
Adjective
  • When senior Celina Frenz wasn’t dancing through defenders to create pressure, Kocher’s ability to find Meisner darting in from the left wing was the codebreaker against a valiant effort from Timnath.
    Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 20 May 2025
  • Panthers in an 0-2 hole in the series Despite a valiant effort once again in the third — putting up 37 shot attempts and 15 scoring chances (including 10 high-danger chances) — the Panthers fell 4-3 to the Maple Leafs and are now 0-2 in the best-of-7 series.
    Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 8 May 2025
Adjective
  • Meantime my 12- and 13-year-old boys were now becoming young men, taller and heavier and in some cases impressively muscular.
    J.T. Barbarese, New York Daily News, 27 May 2025
  • These edits were designed to express dire wolf characteristics, including larger size, more muscular build, thicker coat, and distinctive coat coloration.
    Nia Bowers, USA Today, 24 May 2025
Adjective
  • The Eufy Life mobile app is solid, including easy at-a-glance views, long-term charts, and drill-down capabilities.
    Christopher Null, Wired News, 4 June 2025
  • The Anker Nebula Capsule 3 projector is now 28% off and brings big-screen movie nights anywhere with its soda-can size, built-in Google TV, and shockingly solid sound.
    Shubham Yewale, PC Magazine, 3 June 2025
Adjective
  • Plants have larger foliage and bigger blooms than their tropical counterparts and are winter hardy.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 25 May 2025
  • Above the tidal zone begins a maquis of mastic, myrtle, helichrysum, arbutus, and other fragrant, hardy plants, which in the higher, more remote parts of the island give way to groves of ilex, eucalyptus, and stone pine.
    Lee Marshall, Travel + Leisure, 15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • It’s powered by ultra-low molecular collagen that penetrates deeply to firm and smooth fine lines, while oligo-hyaluronic acid hydrates better and faster than traditional HA, sinking in deeper and faster, leaving skin plump without heaviness.
    Marie Lodi, Allure, 2 June 2025
  • Perhaps the best perk of the suite was the large balcony with ample plump seating and an atmospheric floor lamp, a glorious extension of the indoor space for prime castle viewing.
    Kathryn Romeyn, Travel + Leisure, 14 May 2025
Adjective
  • On June 26, Mercury’s debut in Leo inspires us to be more expressive, confident and courageous in our exchanges.
    Valerie Mesa, People.com, 1 June 2025
  • Sebastian Carmona became the lead plaintiff and was joined by other courageous Salinas Valley farmworkers.
    Ignacio Ornelas Rodriguez, Mercury News, 30 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Stout.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stout. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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