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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

Examples 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 Drumming is a strenuous profession – and coupled with touring and performing it can be exhausting on every level. Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 2 Nov. 2024 Officials recommended that people limit prolonged or strenuous activity outdoors. Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 13 Oct. 2024 That said, the combination helped the muscle cells during normal conditions and those that imitated strenuous exercise. Allison Herries, Verywell Health, 11 Oct. 2024 With the exception of the strenuous hike to Shosan-ji (Temple 12), the trail is more beautiful than challenging, passing through a landscape of small rural villages and cedar forests. Shoshi Parks, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for strenuous 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strenuous
Adjective
  • Most were evident when Newsom was elected governor in 2018, promising vigorous efforts to neutralize them, such as his ridiculous pledge to build 3.5 million units of housing, but most have become even more intractable during his reign.
    Dan Walters, Orange County Register, 14 Nov. 2024
  • You might be involved in sports in a vigorous way today.
    Georgia Nicols, The Denver Post, 14 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Antiaircraft fire kept the bombers so high, however, that aim was difficult to manage, and the bombs fell indiscriminately, destroying more than 4,300 homes while damaging three-quarters of the city's factories.
    Lorenzino Estrada, The Arizona Republic, 22 Nov. 2024
  • Lack of work-life balance can make stressful job environments even more difficult to manage.
    Erik Pham, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • In recent months, U.S., British, German and other European officials have accused Russia of organizing an increasingly aggressive sabotage campaign aimed at undermining and disrupting Western assistance to Ukraine.
    Tom Costello, NBC News, 5 Nov. 2024
  • Throughout the election season, Republicans and Democrats viewed Arizona's 11 electoral college votes as up for grabs, which meant both parties did aggressive campaigning throughout the state and both Trump and Harris visited on multiple occasions.
    Stephanie Innes, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • The company continues to focus on expanding its distribution business and broadening its product range, despite the challenging economic environment.
    Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024
  • The digital detox journey can be challenging, but many people discover it to be rewarding in the end.
    Discover Magazine, Discover Magazine, 7 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • The abuse and neglect have long-lasting effects on an already vulnerable population and have even led to the conviction of some employees for violent crimes, the report says.
    Bianca Moreno-Paz, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
  • The Taliban's violent suppression of criticism, along with draconian crackdowns on women's rights, meant journalists who stayed in Afghanistan were at constant risk of being detained, tortured, disappeared or killed.
    Trisha Mukherjee, ABC News, 21 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Yet a Brown University study found that students who took courses from professors with more rigorous grading standards learned more.
    Karin Klein, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024
  • And the Bruins played a rigorous out-of-state schedule to prepare for another run.
    Matt Schubert, The Denver Post, 6 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • In the weeks and months leading up to Tuesday’s general election, many of the Republicans, including Trump, who emerged victorious became more emphatic in interviews and stump speeches about dismantling the Education Department altogether.
    Zachary Schermele, USA TODAY, 8 Nov. 2024
  • Rohl was even more emphatic about what doomed his team.
    Jacob Whitehead, The Athletic, 23 Aug. 2024
Adjective
  • The Buffs need to find a way to grind out tough yards on the ground, especially late.
    Kyle Newman, The Denver Post, 15 Nov. 2024
  • Bosa confirmed Wednesday that playing through a hip injury last game was the toughest pain he’s endured in 5 1/2 seasons.
    Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near strenuous

Cite this Entry

“Strenuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strenuous. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on strenuous

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