STRENUOUS Synonyms: 141 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'strenuous' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of strenuous are energetic , lusty , nervous , and vigorous . While all these words mean "having or showing great vitality and force," strenuous suggests a preference for coping with the arduous or the challenging. // the strenuous life on an oil rig

Q: When is 'energetic' a more appropriate choice than 'strenuous'?

The words energetic and strenuous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, energetic suggests a capacity for intense activity. // an energetic campaigner

Q: In what contexts can 'lusty' take the place of 'strenuous'?

Although the words lusty and strenuous have much in common, lusty implies exuberant energy and capacity for enjoyment. // a lusty appetite for life

Q: When could 'nervous' be used to replace 'strenuous'?

While in some cases nearly identical to strenuous , nervous suggests especially the forcibleness and sustained effectiveness resulting from mental vigor. // full of nervous energy

Q: When might 'vigorous' be a better fit than 'strenuous'?

The meanings of vigorous and strenuous largely overlap; however, vigorous further implies showing no signs of depletion or diminishing of freshness or robustness. // as vigorous as a youth half his age

strenuous

adjective

ˈstren-yə-wəs

Definition of strenuous

as in vigorous

marked by or uttered with forcefulness parents who voiced strenuous objections to the new textbooks

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in difficult

requiring considerable physical or mental effort a strenuous workout on the obstacle course

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective strenuous contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of strenuous are energetic, lusty, nervous, and vigorous. While all these words mean "having or showing great vitality and force," strenuous suggests a preference for coping with the arduous or the challenging.

the strenuous life on an oil rig

When is energetic a more appropriate choice than strenuous?

The words energetic and strenuous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, energetic suggests a capacity for intense activity.

an energetic campaigner

In what contexts can lusty take the place of strenuous?

Although the words lusty and strenuous have much in common, lusty implies exuberant energy and capacity for enjoyment.

a lusty appetite for life

When could nervous be used to replace strenuous?

While in some cases nearly identical to strenuous, nervous suggests especially the forcibleness and sustained effectiveness resulting from mental vigor.

full of nervous energy

When might vigorous be a better fit than strenuous?

The meanings of vigorous and strenuous largely overlap; however, vigorous further implies showing no signs of depletion or diminishing of freshness or robustness.

as vigorous as a youth half his age

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of strenuous His doctors then ordered him to take three to four weeks to recuperate, saying his shows are too physically strenuous and his recovery is complicated by his lifelong type 1 diabetes. — Madeline Bartos, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026 Recovery involves four weeks of immobilization, followed by physical therapy for up to three months, with a full return to strenuous activity expected around six months post-surgery. — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026 Visitors there have their pick of dozens of routes — some easy, others strenuous. — Jamie Siebrase, Denver Post, 20 Aug. 2026 Whitmore is healthy now after a strenuous rehabilitation regimen. — Josh Robbins, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for strenuous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for strenuous

Adjective

Puppies should not engage in vigorous tug-of-war games because too much tugging can create jaw or bite problems.

— BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026
Second, legislation should promote vigorous competition among teams and conferences, not preserve the exclusive club of the current Power Four membership.

— U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Hartford Courant, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of vigorous

Adjective

The losses linked to the demise of these groups are difficult to quantify, but participants and advocates say the impacts will reverberate across federal agencies for years.

— Katia Riddle, NPR, 29 Aug. 2026
Ground surveys can provide more detailed information at a particular site, but covering an entire subway corridor that way would be difficult.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of difficult

Adjective

Cramer also pointed to Abercrombie's aggressive share repurchases as another boost to earnings per share.

— Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
Miami Marlins manager Clayton McCullough, being aggressive in what was a must-win series finale against the Washington Nationals, chose to go to his bullpen early.

— Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of aggressive

Adjective

For the healthcare providers in attendance, the party — which featured games and activities for the kids — is a chance to see the real-life impact of their often emotionally challenging work.

— Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 29 Aug. 2026
Because of the challenging terrain, the bridges are designed to be constructed without heavy machinery.

— Fatma Tanis, NPR, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of challenging

Adjective

Their arrival comes during a violent week in Haiti; at least 47 people were killed and more than 50 others kidnapped, according to Haitian officials.

— Nathan Lee, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
Karilyn Orr, an internal safety and prevention specialist in the Illinois Attorney General’s Office, and Nick Jakubisin, a special agent in the Illinois State Police’s violent crimes unit, joined Hills in the presentation.

— Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of violent

Adjective

Every personal finance review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of home loan products.

— Kelsey Neubauer, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
But alongside serious thinkers such as Rankine, Ta-Nehisi Coates, and Saidiya Hartman, less rigorous writers and ideas were also elevated.

— Charles Finch, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of rigorous

Adjective

Judge William Sullivan gave an emphatic instruction to jurors to dismiss Heilbrun's testimony regarding Clancy's Catholic upbringing.

— Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 24 Aug. 2026
Eating it inspires an appreciation for the seamless integration of Mexican and Middle Eastern influences, melding to a state of emphatic brilliance in each bite.

— The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of emphatic

Adjective

The war, and in particular Iran’s direct targeting of the Gulf, makes this approach a tough pill to swallow.

— Dina Esfandiary, Foreign Affairs, 27 Aug. 2026
The conversation shifted from tougher ordinances toward resource allocation and investing in third spaces, which are places outside of work, school or home.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of tough

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strengthens

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strenuously

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“Strenuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strenuous. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of strenuous

adjective

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Example Sentences

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The Words of the Week - 9/11/20

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