sturdy
adjective
stur·dy ˈstər-dē 
sturdier; sturdiest
1
a
: firmly built or constituted : stout
b
: hardy
sturdy plants
c
: sound in design or execution : substantial
2
a
: marked by or reflecting physical strength or vigor
b
: firm, resolute
c
: rugged, stable
sturdily
ˈstər-də-lē
adverb sturdiness
ˈstər-dē-nəs
noun 
Synonyms
- cast-iron
- hard
- hard-bitten
- hardened
- hardy
- inured
- rugged
- stout
- strong
- tough
- toughened
- vigorous
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
a dog with a strong sturdy build it took a sturdy person to endure the life of a pioneer
Recent Examples on the Web The hose was sturdy, with a great grip, and did not kink at all. 
Rennie Dyball, Peoplemag, 6 Sep. 2022 Along with drainage problems, this can also cause the roots to circle around inside the hole instead of spreading out into the native soil, and the bush won't be as sturdy. Arricca Elin Sansone, Country Living, 29 June 2022 The walls should be thin and delicate yet sturdy enough to hold the filling. Jenn Harriscolumnist, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2022 The vaults appear to be carefully constructed and sturdy enough to allow people to move between them underground. Bradford Betz, Fox News, 23 Aug. 2022 Eventually, someone came up with the idea to build a boat sturdy enough to carry their butter and other products to the markets in Portland and beyond. Patrick Criteser, Fortune, 20 Aug. 2022 The wipes are big and sturdy enough to go the distance on your cleaning circuit, and the package design keeps wipes from drying out between uses. Samantha Benoit, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Aug. 2022 The skeleton of the piece needs to be sturdy, and that skeleton is the narrative, the actual story of what happens. Brendan O'meara, Longreads, 18 Aug. 2022 The all-metal construction is sturdy, and the tall handrail—which attaches to either side of the stairs—extends nearly 3 feet above the top platform. Rachel Klein, Popular Mechanics, 11 July 2022 See More
Rennie Dyball, Peoplemag, 6 Sep. 2022 Along with drainage problems, this can also cause the roots to circle around inside the hole instead of spreading out into the native soil, and the bush won't be as sturdy. Arricca Elin Sansone, Country Living, 29 June 2022 The walls should be thin and delicate yet sturdy enough to hold the filling. Jenn Harriscolumnist, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2022 The vaults appear to be carefully constructed and sturdy enough to allow people to move between them underground. Bradford Betz, Fox News, 23 Aug. 2022 Eventually, someone came up with the idea to build a boat sturdy enough to carry their butter and other products to the markets in Portland and beyond. Patrick Criteser, Fortune, 20 Aug. 2022 The wipes are big and sturdy enough to go the distance on your cleaning circuit, and the package design keeps wipes from drying out between uses. Samantha Benoit, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Aug. 2022 The skeleton of the piece needs to be sturdy, and that skeleton is the narrative, the actual story of what happens. Brendan O'meara, Longreads, 18 Aug. 2022 The all-metal construction is sturdy, and the tall handrail—which attaches to either side of the stairs—extends nearly 3 feet above the top platform. Rachel Klein, Popular Mechanics, 11 July 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
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 — more at thrush
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Kids Definition
sturdy
adjective
stur·dy ˈstər-dē
sturdier; sturdiest
1
: firmly built or made
The branch was sturdy enough to support his weight.
2
: strong and healthy in body : robust
3
: resolute
Medical Definition
sturdy
noun
stur·dy ˈstərd-ē
plural sturdies
: gid
sturdiness
noun
as in reliability
the ability to withstand force or stress without being distorted, dislodged, or damaged demonstrated the suitcase's sturdiness by dropping it from a third-floor window Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- reliability
- stability
- durability
- strength
- dependability
- solidity
- soundness
- firmness
- toughness
- solidness
- cohesion
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- precariousness
- instability
- shakiness
- unsteadiness
- insecurity
- unsoundness
- weakness
- unstableness
- insubstantiality
- unsubstantiality