robust

adjective

ro·bust | \ rō-ˈbəst

, ˈrō-(ˌ)bəst\

Definition of robust

1a : having or exhibiting strength or vigorous health

b : having or showing vigor, strength, or firmness a robust debate a robust faith

c : strongly formed or constructed : sturdy a robust plastic

d : capable of performing without failure under a wide range of conditions robust software

2 : rough, rude stories … laden with robust, down-home imagery — Playboy

3 : requiring strength or vigor robust work

4 : full-bodied robust coffee also : hearty a robust dinner

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

Other Words from robust Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about robust

Keep scrolling for more

Choose the Right Synonym for robust

healthy, sound, wholesome, robust, hale, well mean enjoying or indicative of good health. healthy implies full strength and vigor as well as freedom from signs of disease. a healthy family sound emphasizes the absence of disease, weakness, or malfunction. a sound heart 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

Health care, restaurants, and hotels, and professional services all added jobs at a robust pace. — BostonGlobe.com, "French judges drop case against Air France for 2009 crash," 6 Sep. 2019 Health care, restaurants and hotels, and professional services all added jobs at a robust pace. — Washington Post, "Survey: Businesses added a solid 195,000 jobs in August," 5 Sep. 2019 There was a robust uproar in New Orleans and beyond after Rams defender Nickell Robey-Coleman clobbered Saints receiver Tommylee Lewis before the ball arrived, yet no flag was thrown. — Los Angeles Times, "NFL season kicks off with Packers-Bears, questions on pass-interference replay," 4 Sep. 2019 While the Hub crossroads is one of the parts of the Bay Area with the most robust public transit —it’s served by BART, several bus lines, and underground Muni lines — the area is congested and not pedestrian friendly. — J.k. Dineen, SFChronicle.com, "City ready to raise height limits, allowing more housing units near Market and Van Ness," 3 Sep. 2019 And Android 10 ships with special support for foldable smartphones, with more robust multi-screen support, display switching, and a reworked app lifecycle that will allow multiple foreground apps to run simultaneously. — Ron Amadeo, Ars Technica, "Android 10 launches today, and Pixel phones get the day one update," 3 Sep. 2019 So The Courant asked The Warren Group to crunch numbers for towns and cities to assemble a top 10 list for the most robust sales activity measured by percentage gains. — Kenneth R. Gosselin, courant.com, "At the close of a sluggish home sale season, here are the 10 towns where real estate is hot in Connecticut," 3 Sep. 2019 Two sons arrived soon after and Henry was on his way to a life of success and diligence and robust Episcopalianism. — Rebecca Mead, The New Yorker, "How Matthew Lopez Transformed “Howards End” Into an Epic Play About Gay Life," 2 Sep. 2019 Recent earnings from L’Oréal and Estée Lauder—two of seven conglomerates that dominate the entire global beauty market—were also dominated by robust sales of prestige skincare. — Sangeeta Singh-kurtz, Quartzy, "Ulta is struggling because of your boring beauty routine," 30 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'robust.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for robust

robust

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of robust

: strong and healthy

: strongly formed or built

: successful or impressive and not likely to fail or weaken

See the full definition for robust in the English Language Learners Dictionary

robust

robust

Definition of robust

Other Words from robust

Synonyms & Antonyms for robust

Choose the Right Synonym for robust

Examples of robust in a Sentence

First Known Use of robust

History and Etymology for robust

English Language Learners Definition of robust

robust

Definition of robust

Other Words from robust

Synonyms & Antonyms for robust

Choose the Right Synonym for robust

Examples of robust in a Sentence

First Known Use of robust

History and Etymology for robust

English Language Learners Definition of robust

WORD OF THE DAY