Definition of ROBUST (original) (raw)
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 conditions
2
stories … laden with robust, down-home imagery—
Playboy
3
: requiring strength or vigor
5
: relating to, resembling, or being a specialized group of australopithecines characterized especially by heavy molars and small incisors adapted to a vegetarian diet
Note: Robust australopithecines are included in the genus Australopithecus along with gracile forms or placed in the separate genus Paranthropus.
compare gracile sense 3
Synonyms
Choose 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 game plan had to change to something more conservative, more repeatable, more robust. —Jack Pitt-Brooke, The Athletic, 3 Feb. 2025 The latest iteration features the same robust build and chuck-about-ability but has been consciously upgraded with phthalate-free, recycled PVC and recycled nylon that’s treated with a non-PFC water-repellent (DWR) finish. —Parker Hall, WIRED, 2 Feb. 2025 Some herbs, such as basil and oregano, can offer robust flavor without triggering reflux symptoms. —Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, Rdn, Ld, Health, 2 Feb. 2025 His word is robust protections for FBI agents against employment actions. —CBS News, 2 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for robust 
Word History
Etymology
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
Dictionary Entries Near robust
Cite this Entry
“Robust.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/robust. Accessed 12 Feb. 2025.
Share
More from Merriam-Webster on robust
Last Updated: 5 Feb 2025 - Updated example sentences
Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!