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strong

strong

∞ 1.0
Having great physical power or being solid enough to resist force
  • adjective
  • /strɔŋ/
: fuerte (personas)
  • He lifted the heavy weights easily because he is very strong.
  • strong enough
  • a strong foundation
  • strong and stiff

A man in Britain has the strongest middle finger on earth.

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Examples

  • And you can build anything on top of a strong foundation.

  • For example, a student might be strong verbally but possess poor fine-motor skills.

    Academic text (2015)
  • There better be a strong drink at the end of this.

  • What I would like to find out is how strong they really are.

  • Your marriage may not be that strong.

  • How did you stay mentally strong through that time?

  • That's why we are in such a strong shape today.

  • Across all measures, at least eight of the nine exited strong responders scored above the high-risk range.

    Academic text (2015)
  • The bridge was built to be strong enough to withstand high winds.

  • She has a strong ability to overcome physical challenges.

Synonyms

powerful
vsstrong
∞ 1.7

Having great physical strength, like a strong machine or person

focuses more on solidity and resistance to pressure than raw force
solid
vsstrong
719 3.0

Strong and dependable, trusted for quality

extends that idea to physical resistance and capacity to bear pressure
mighty
vsstrong
327 2.9

Very strong and powerful

is broader, also covering solidity and resistance, not only intensity
tough
vsstrong
214 1.7

Strong and able to resist damage or rough use

adds the idea of raw physical force and solidity rather than endurance alone
robust
vsstrong
120 3.9

Strong and able to work well in difficult conditions

also highlights physical force and firmness, not only survival ability
formidable
vsstrong
114 7.0

A person or thing that is very powerful and makes people feel respect and fear

is similar but centres on actual solidity and resisting physical pressure
sturdy
vsstrong
79 2.1

Strong and solid so it does not break easily

adds the sense of actual physical force or lifting ability as well
vigorous
vsstrong
78 4.1

Having a lot of strength and energy

emphasizes physical permanence and resistance rather than energetic action
firm
vsstrong
43 1.0

Secure and unlikely to move, change, or weaken

adds the meaning of bodily force and ability to bear heavy pressure
steely
vsstrong
19 5.5

Being very determined and not showing fear

is the basic sense of physical solidity and ability to bear force
hardy
vsstrong
13 3.9

Able to live and grow in cold or bad weather

is more focused on bodily strength and ability to resist force or pressure
stout
vsstrong
10 3.8

Strong and rather heavy in body or shape

includes both mass and the capacity to resist pressure, not only size
muscular
vsstrong
9 3.0

Showing strong, forceful energy in action or style

stresses being solid and able to resist pressure as well as power
substantial
vsstrong
8 5.0

Strong and solid and built to last

focuses more on bodily or physical force rather than just good build
unyielding
vsstrong
2 6.7

Hard and not easily bent or broken by force

is wider, covering both resisting pressure and having physical lifting power
bone hard
vsstrong
  • Informal
1 7.7

Very strong and not easily broken or changed

is the standard term for general solidity and usual physical resistance
strongish
vsstrong
  • Informal
1 3.8

A little more powerful than usual but not very much

refers to full solidity and higher resistance rather than modest force
super-strong
vsstrong
  • Informal
6.4

A person or animal who is much stronger than others

is the general term for solidity and resistance rather than informal emphasis

Antonyms

315 1.0

Not strong in body or muscles and easily tired

Compounds

37 3.9

An argument with good evidence and clear reasons that is likely to convince people

strong suit
  • Informal
37 4.4

A skill or area that a person is very good at

34 1.0

A wind that blows very hard and can move things

21 3.4

Something a person does very well

A situation that gives someone more power in talks or competition

A close connection between people with trust and care

An applicant who has the right skills and is likely to get the job or award

13 3.6

A sure feeling that something is true

13 3.4

A deep, lasting connection between people or animals

9 3.4

A person, group, or country that gives strong and reliable help

A fast, powerful flow of water in a river or the sea that pulls people and things away

Coffee with a deep bitter taste that gives more energy

Gives off a strong smell that you notice quickly

To be able to see or hear unpleasant things without feeling sick

strong force
  • Specialized
4 7.3

A force that holds protons and neutrons together inside an atom's nucleus

4 3.4

An alcoholic drink that is distilled, like whisky or vodka

3 5.1

Having a strong, solid body build

Having a very strong smell that you notice easily

A strong wind that blows against you and makes moving harder

1 3.9

A clear argument a lawyer gives in court to show a person is not guilty

strong side
  • Jargon
1 3.9

The side of a team with more players or strength

1 3.5

The side of the body that is stronger or more coordinated

Having a very powerful taste that you notice right away, like cheese or coffee

strong breeze
  • Specialized
1 2.2

A wind that is strong enough to move small branches and belongings

Becomes larger very quickly, often about plants or tumors

strong interaction
  • Specialized
1 8.9

A force inside atoms that holds protons and neutrons together

1 5.7

A verb that shows powerful, clear action to make writing more lively

1 4.4

The party in a dispute that has more power or resources

strong gale
  • Specialized
1 6.2

A very strong wind that can topple trees and damage buildings

A very strong feeling that you must do a certain job

1 9.9

A young person who uses threats or physical force to steal from people

A theorem that says the average of many independent random results almost certainly equals the true average

super-strong
  • Informal
6.4

A person or animal who is much stronger than others

strong antagonist
  • Literature
5.1

A powerful character who opposes the hero and creates major conflict

A firm hold on someone's arm to stop them from moving or control them

strong rootstock
  • Specialized
5.7

A healthy plant that acts as a strong base and resists disease for grafting another plant

strong side
  • Jargon
6.0

The pair that holds most high cards and is likely to win most tricks

9.1

The average of many separate random results becomes almost always close to the true average

9.6

A short paragraph early in a news story that clearly tells the main point

strong suit
  • Jargon
6.1

A card suit in which a player has many high cards

strong yer
  • Specialized
9.9

An old short vowel that later becomes a full vowel in modern Slavic languages

How Strong

mighty
327 2.9
powerful
∞ 1.7
sturdy
79 2.1
strong
∞ 1.0
weak
315 1.0
fragile
45 3.4

Surface Forms

strong positive
stronger comparative
strongest superlative

Etymology

Strong comes from Old English strang, which meant 'powerful' or 'tight' and is the same root as strength. So a strong person can push or hold things and stand up to force.