strong

Main Entry:: strong
Pronunciation:: \ˈstrȯŋ\
Function:: adjective
Inflected Form(s):: stron·ger \ˈstrȯŋ-gər also -ər\ ; stron·gest \ˈstrȯŋ-gəst also -əst\
Etymology:: Middle English, from Old English strang; akin to Old High German strengi strong, Latin stringere to bind tight — more at strain
Date:: before 12th century

1: having or marked by great physical power2: having moral or intellectual power3: having great resources (as of wealth or talent)4: of a specified number <an army ten thousand strong>5 a: striking or superior of its kind <a strong resemblance> b: effective or efficient especially in a specified direction <strong on watching other people work — A. Alvarez>6: forceful , cogent <strong evidence> <strong talk>7: not mild or weak : extreme , intense : as a: rich in some active agent <strong beer> bof a color : high in chroma c: ionizing freely in solution <strong acids and bases> d: magnifying by refracting greatly <a strong lens> 8obsolete : flagrant9: moving with rapidity or force <a strong wind>10: ardent , zealous <a strong supporter>11 a: not easily injured or disturbed : solid b: not easily subdued or taken <a strong fort>12: well established : firm <strong beliefs>13: not easily upset or nauseated <a strong stomach>14: having an offensive or intense odor or flavor : rank <strong breath>15: tending to steady or higher prices <a strong market>16: of, relating to, or being a verb that is inflected by a change in the root vowel (as strive, strove, striven) rather than by regular affixation

— strong adverb

— strong·ish

\ˈstrȯŋ-ish\ adjective

— strong·ly

\ˈstrȯŋ-lē\ adverb

synonyms strong , stout , sturdy , stalwart , tough , tenacious mean showing power to resist or to endure. strong may imply power derived from muscular vigor, large size, structural soundness, intellectual or spiritual resources <strong arms> <the defense has a strong case>. stout suggests an ability to endure stress, pain, or hard use without giving way <stout hiking boots>. sturdy implies strength derived from vigorous growth, determination of spirit, solidity of construction <a sturdy table> <people of sturdy independence>. stalwart suggests an unshakable dependability <stalwart environmentalists>. tough implies great firmness and resiliency <a tough political opponent>. tenacious suggests strength in seizing, retaining, clinging to, or holding together <tenacious farmers clinging to an age-old way of life>.

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