1
a : having or exhibiting strength or vigorous health b : having or showing vigor, strength, or firmness c : strongly formed or constructed : sturdy d : capable of performing without failure under a wide range of conditions2
: rough, rude stories … laden with robust, down-home imagery—Playboy3
: requiring strength or vigor5
: relating to, resembling, or being a specialized group of australopithecines characterized especially by heavy molars and small incisors adapted to a vegetarian dietNote: Robust australopithecines are included in the genus Australopithecus along with gracile forms or placed in the separate genus Paranthropus.
compare gracile sense 3Choose the Right Synonym for robust
sound emphasizes the absence of disease, weakness, or malfunction.
wholesome implies appearance and behavior indicating soundness and balance.
a face with a wholesome glow
robust implies the opposite of all that is delicate or sickly.
a lively, robust little boy
hale applies particularly to robustness in old age.
still hale at the age of eighty
well implies merely freedom from disease or illness.
she has never been a well person
Examples of robust in a Sentence If Singapore, just seven miles to the north with its glittering skyline and robust economy, is Southeast Asia's Cinderella, Batam is her dark sister. —Peter Gwin, National Geographic, October 2007 The greatest gains in mine mechanization came in a burst of innovation following World War II, when robust new machines were developed … —Robert L. Marovelli, Scientific American, September 1982 Humfry was a man whom everyone noticed. His stature was above ordinary, his complexion sanguine, his conversation lively, and his constitution robust. —Samuel Eliot Morison, The European Discovery of America, 1971 Why is almost every robust healthy boy with a robust healthy soul in him, at some time or other crazy to go to sea? —Herman Melville, Moby Dick, 1851 robust young men and women He is in robust health. The sauce has a robust flavor. Recent Examples on the Web 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. The technology sector is expected to provide the most robust revenue growth. —Bill Stone, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2025 The platform has a robust interface that allows users to manage rosters across teams, from freshman to junior varsity (JV), and varsity. —Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2025 The Panthers added two offensive weapons on Day 3 who also have robust return experience. —Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 27 Apr. 2025 In its attack on paper straws, the document devotes a robust eight pages to highlighting their health and environmental dangers. —Hiroko Tabuchi, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for robust Word HistoryEtymology
Latin robustus oaken, strong, from robor-, robur oak, strength
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Time Traveler
The first known use of robust was in the 15th century Cite this Entry“Robust.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/robust. Accessed 11 May. 2025.
Last Updated: 30 Apr 2025 - Updated example sentencesLove words? Need even more definitions?
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