Sturdy vs Tough - What's the difference?
sturdy | tough |
Of firm build; stiff; stout; strong.
* Sir H. Wotton
Solid in structure or person.
(obsolete) Foolishly obstinate or resolute; stubborn.
* Hudibras
* Atterbury
Resolute, in a good sense; or firm, unyielding quality.
A disease in sheep and cattle, marked by great nervousness, or by dullness and stupor.
Strong and resilient; sturdy.
(of food) Difficult to cut or chew.
Rugged or physically hardy.
Stubborn.
(of weather etc) Harsh or severe.
Rowdy or rough.
Difficult or demanding.
(material science) Undergoing plastic deformation before breaking.
(slang) (Used to indicate lack of sympathy)
A person who obtains things by force; a thug or bully.
Tough is a synonym of sturdy.
As adjectives the difference between sturdy and tough
is that sturdy is of firm build; stiff; stout; strong while tough is strong and resilient; sturdy.As nouns the difference between sturdy and tough
is that sturdy is a disease in sheep and cattle, marked by great nervousness, or by dullness and stupor while tough is a person who obtains things by force; a thug or bully.As an interjection tough is
Used to indicate lack of sympathyAs a verb tough is
to endure.sturdy
English
Adjective
(er)- a sturdy oak tree
- He was not of any delicate contexture; his limbs rather sturdy than dainty.
- It was a sturdy building, able to withstand strong winds and cold weather.
- The dog was sturdy and could work all day without getting tired.
- This must be done, and I would fain see / Mortal so sturdy as to gainsay.
- A sturdy , hardened sinner shall advance to the utmost pitch of impiety with less reluctance than he took the first steps.
- a man of sturdy piety or patriotism
Noun
(-)References
tough
English
Adjective
(er)- The tent, made of tough canvas, held up to many abuses.
- To soften a tough cut of meat, the recipe suggested simmering it for hours.
- Only a tough species will survive in the desert.
- He had a reputation as a tough negotiator.
- A bunch of the tough boys from the wrong side of the tracks threatened him.
- This is a tough crowd.
Derived terms
* do it tough * hang tough * supertough * tough call * tough case * tough cookie * tough crowd * tough love * tough luck * tough-minded * tough nut to crack * tough row to hoe * tough shit * tough titty * tough toodles * tough tuchus * toughen * toughie * toughish * toughly * toughness * toughy * ultratough *Interjection
(en interjection)- If you don't like it, tough !
Noun
(en noun)- They were doing fine until they encountered a bunch of toughs from the opposition.