Determined vs. Strong — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 5, 2024
Determined individuals exhibit a strong resolve to achieve goals, whereas strong individuals possess physical power or emotional resilience.
Difference Between Determined and Strong
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Determined people are characterized by their unwavering commitment to achieving specific objectives, often showing persistence in the face of adversity. In contrast, strong individuals may demonstrate formidable physical strength or robust emotional fortitude, enabling them to handle physical challenges or stressful situations effectively.
Determination is often a mental or emotional trait, focusing on the pursuit of goals with perseverance and dedication. Strong, on the other hand, can refer to both physical capabilities and emotional strength, such as the ability to lift heavy weights or to remain calm under pressure.
Someone who is determined might continue striving towards a goal despite numerous setbacks, focusing on long-term achievements. Whereas a strong person might quickly overcome immediate physical obstacles or recover from emotional setbacks more rapidly due to their resilience.
In challenging situations, a determined person relies on their inner motivation and a clear vision of their goals to push forward. Meanwhile, a strong person might depend more on their inherent physical abilities or emotional stability to manage and navigate difficulties.
While determination is crucial for scenarios requiring long-term effort and consistency, such as academic or career aspirations, strength plays a significant role in scenarios that demand quick, robust responses, like in sports or emergency situations.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Firmness of purpose
Having great physical power or emotional fortitude
Key Characteristic
Persistence in achieving goals
Capability to handle physical or emotional challenges
Common Contexts
Career goals, educational pursuits
Sports, physical jobs, stressful situations
Emotional Tie
Motivated by achievements
Driven by capability and resilience
Outcome Focus
Long-term objectives
Immediate challenges
Compare with Definitions
Determined
Steadfast against obstacles.
They remained determined despite financial difficulties.
Strong
Emotionally robust.
He was strong during the crisis.
Determined
Persistent in effort.
The determined athlete trained daily for the marathon.
Strong
Intense or powerful in effect.
She has a strong presence in meetings.
Determined
Unwavering in achieving goals.
Her determined effort in the project led to its success.
Strong
Having great physical power.
The strong lifter won the competition.
Determined
Showing firm decision-making.
He gave a determined nod in agreement.
Strong
Capable of withstanding great force or pressure.
The strong winds did not damage the house.
Determined
Resolute in purpose or action.
She was determined to finish her thesis on time.
Strong
Solid or durable in form.
The bridge is strong enough to handle heavy traffic.
Determined
Marked by or showing determination; resolute
Was engaged in a protracted struggle with a determined enemy.
Strong
Having the power to move heavy weights or perform other physically demanding tasks
She cut through the water with her strong arms
Determined
Decided or resolved
She is determined to be a doctor.
Strong
Able to withstand force, pressure, or wear
Cotton is strong, hard-wearing, and easy to handle
Determined
Decided; resolute, possessing much determination.
I'm determined to get a good grade on my exam.
Strong
Very intense
A strong smell
Determined
Simple past tense and past participle of determine
Strong
Used after a number to indicate the size of a group
A hostile crowd several thousands strong
Determined
Decided; resolute.
Strong
Denoting a class of verbs in Germanic languages that form the past tense and past participle by a change of vowel within the stem rather than by addition of a suffix (e.g. swim, swam, swum).
Determined
Characterized by great determination;
A struggle against a determined enemy
Strong
Relating to or denoting the strongest of the known kinds of force between particles, which acts between nucleons and other hadrons when closer than about 10⁻¹³ cm (so binding protons in a nucleus despite the repulsion due to their charge), and which conserves strangeness, parity, and isospin.
Determined
Having been learned or found or determined especially by investigation
Strong
Physically powerful; capable of exerting great physical force.
Determined
Devoting full strength and concentrated attention to;
Made continued and determined efforts to find and destroy enemy headquarters
Strong
Marked by great physical power
A strong blow to the head.
Determined
Determined or decided upon as by an authority;
Date and place are already determined
The dictated terms of surrender
The time set for the launching
Strong
In good or sound health; robust
A strong constitution.
A strong heart.
Determined
Strongly motivated to succeed
Strong
Economically or financially sound or thriving
A strong economy.
Strong
Having force of character, will, morality, or intelligence
A strong personality.
Strong
Having or showing ability or achievement in a specified field
Students who are strong in chemistry.
Strong
Capable of the effective exercise of authority
A strong leader.
Strong
Capable of withstanding force or wear; solid, tough, or firm
A strong building.
A strong fabric.
Strong
Having great binding strength
A strong adhesive.
Strong
Not easily captured or defeated
A strong flank.
A strong defense.
Strong
Not easily upset; resistant to harmful or unpleasant influences
Strong nerves.
A strong stomach.
Strong
Having force or rapidity of motion
A strong current.
Strong
Persuasive, effective, and cogent
A strong argument.
Strong
Forceful and pointed; emphatic
A strong statement.
Strong
Forthright and explicit, often offensively so
Strong language.
Strong
Extreme; drastic
Had to resort to strong measures.
Strong
Having force of conviction or feeling; uncompromising
Strong faith.
A strong supporter.
Strong
Intense in degree or quality
A strong emotion.
Strong motivation.
Strong
Having an intense or offensive effect on the senses
Strong light.
Strong vinegar.
Strong cologne.
Strong
Clear and loud
A strong voice.
Strong
Readily noticeable; remarkable
A strong resemblance.
A strong contrast.
Strong
Readily detected or received
A strong radio signal.
Strong
Having a high concentration of an essential or active ingredient
Mixed a strong solution of bleach and water.
Strong
Containing a considerable percentage of alcohol
Strong punch.
Strong
Of or relating to a color having a high degree of saturation.
Strong
Having a specified number of units or members
A military force 100,000 strong.
Strong
Marked by steady or rising prices
A strong market.
Strong
Of or relating to those verbs in Germanic languages that form their past tense by a change in stem vowel, and their past participles by a change in stem vowel and sometimes by adding the suffix -(e)n, as sing, sang, sung or tear, tore, torn.
Strong
Of or relating to the inflection of nouns or adjectives in Germanic languages with endings that historically did not contain a suffix with an n.
Strong
Stressed or accented in pronunciation or poetic meter. Used of a word or syllable.
Strong
In a strong, powerful, or vigorous manner; forcefully
A salesperson who comes on too strong.
Strong
Capable of producing great physical force.
A big strong man; Jake was tall and strong
Strong
Capable of withstanding great physical force.
A strong foundation; good strong shoes
Strong
(of water, wind, etc.) Having a lot of power.
The man was nearly drowned after a strong undercurrent swept him out to sea.
Strong
Determined; unyielding.
He is strong in the face of adversity.
Strong
Highly stimulating to the senses.
A strong light; a strong taste
Strong
Having an offensive or intense odor or flavor.
A strong smell
Strong
Having a high concentration of an essential or active ingredient.
A strong cup of coffee; a strong medicine
Strong
(specifically) Having a high alcoholic content.
A strong drink
She gets up, and pours herself a strong one. - Eagles, Lying Eyes
Strong
(grammar) Inflecting in a different manner than the one called weak, such as Germanic verbs which change vowels.
A strong verb
Strong
(chemistry) That completely ionizes into anions and cations in a solution.
A strong acid;
A strong base
Strong
(military) Not easily subdued or taken.
A strong position
Strong
Having wealth or resources.
A strong economy
Strong
Impressive, good.
You're working with troubled youth in your off time? That’s strong!
Strong
Having a specified number of people or units.
The enemy's army force was five thousand strong.
Strong
(of a disease or symptom) Severe; very bad or intense.
Strong
Having a wide range of logical consequences; widely applicable. (Often contrasted with a weak statement which it implies.)
Strong
(of an argument) Convincing.
Strong
In a strong manner.
Strong
Having active physical power, or great physical power to act; having a power of exerting great bodily force; vigorous.
That our oxen may be strong to labor.
Orses the strong to greater strength must yield.
Strong
Having passive physical power; having ability to bear or endure; firm; hale; sound; robust; as, a strong constitution; strong health.
Strong
Solid; tough; not easily broken or injured; able to withstand violence; able to sustain attacks; not easily subdued or taken; as, a strong beam; a strong rock; a strong fortress or town.
Strong
Having great military or naval force; powerful; as, a strong army or fleet; a nation strong at sea.
Strong
Having great wealth, means, or resources; as, a strong house, or company of merchants.
Strong
Reaching a certain degree or limit in respect to strength or numbers; as, an army ten thousand strong.
Strong
Moving with rapidity or force; violent; forcible; impetuous; as, a strong current of water or wind; the wind was strong from the northeast; a strong tide.
Strong
Adapted to make a deep or effectual impression on the mind or imagination; striking or superior of the kind; powerful; forcible; cogent; as, a strong argument; strong reasons; strong evidence; a strong example; strong language.
Strong
Ardent; eager; zealous; earnestly engaged; as, a strong partisan; a strong Whig or Tory.
Her mother, ever strong against that match.
Strong
Having virtues of great efficacy; or, having a particular quality in a great degree; as, a strong powder or tincture; a strong decoction; strong tea or coffee.
Strong
Full of spirit; containing a large proportion of alcohol; intoxicating; as, strong liquors.
Strong
Affecting any sense powerfully; as, strong light, colors, etc.; a strong flavor of onions; a strong scent.
Strong
Solid; nourishing; as, strong meat.
Strong
Well established; firm; not easily overthrown or altered; as, a strong custom; a strong belief.
Strong
Violent; vehement; earnest; ardent.
He had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears.
Strong
Having great force, vigor, power, or the like, as the mind, intellect, or any faculty; as, a man of a strong mind, memory, judgment, or imagination.
I was stronger in prophecy than in criticism.
Strong
Vigorous; effective; forcible; powerful.
Like her sweet voice is thy harmonious song,As high, as sweet, as easy, and as strong.
Strong
Tending to higher prices; rising; as, a strong market.
Strong
Pertaining to, or designating, a verb which forms its preterit (imperfect) by a variation in the root vowel, and the past participle (usually) by the addition of -en (with or without a change of the root vowel); as in the verbs strive, strove, striven; break, broke, broken; drink, drank, drunk. Opposed to weak, or regular. See Weak.
Strong
Having strength or power greater than average or expected;
A strong radio signal
Strong medicine
A strong man
Strong
Used of syllables or musical beats
Strong
Not faint or feeble;
A strong odor of burning rubber
Strong
Having or wielding force or authority;
Providing the ground soldier with increasingly potent weapons
Strong
Having a strong physiological or chemical effect;
A potent toxin
Potent liquor
A potent cup of tea
Strong
Able to withstand attack;
An impregnable fortress
Fortifications that made the frontier inviolable
Strong
Of good quality and condition; solidly built;
A solid foundation
Several substantial timber buildings
Strong
Of verbs not having standard (or regular) inflection;
`sing' is a strong verb
Strong
Having a high alcoholic content;
Hard liquor
Strong
Freshly made or left;
A warm trail
The scent is warm
Strong
Strong and sure;
A firm grasp
Gave a strong pull on the rope
Common Curiosities
Can determination compensate for lack of strength?
Yes, determination can often lead to success even in the absence of physical strength by leveraging perseverance and strategic planning.
Is determination more mental or physical?
Determination is primarily a mental attribute, focusing on motivation and goal orientation.
What does it mean to be determined?
Being determined means having a fixed intention to achieve a particular goal, often despite difficulties.
What defines a strong person?
A strong person possesses significant physical power or emotional resilience, enabling them to handle various challenges.
How do determination and strength differ in problem-solving?
Determination involves persistent efforts towards a solution, while strength might lead to quicker, more direct resolutions.
Can someone be both determined and strong?
Yes, many individuals exhibit both determination in their pursuits and strength in their physical or emotional capacities.
What is more important in a leadership role, being determined or strong?
Both qualities are valuable; determination helps in achieving long-term visions, while strength aids in handling daily challenges.
How can one develop strength?
Strength can be developed through physical training, emotional resilience exercises, and consistent practice in various skills.
How does strength affect performance in sports?
Physical strength significantly enhances performance in sports by improving endurance, power, and overall capability.
Do determined people always succeed?
Not always, as success also depends on external factors and opportunities, but determination significantly increases the likelihood of success.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
