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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

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 This strenuous trail is a popular spot with sweeping views of L.A. and peeps of the Hollywood sign. Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2025 That’s not to say you aren’t entitled to pursue this campaign of strenuous self-optimizing. Kwame Anthony Appiah, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2025 The late shift is strenuous at the best of times, with understaffing a default state. Guy Lodge, Variety, 17 Feb. 2025 And even Floria’s strenuous relationship with her children is barely an afterthought, with one scene that could conceivably serve as a pressure point offering little more than half-baked exposition. Adam Solomons, IndieWire, 17 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for strenuous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strenuous
Adjective
  • Timing for Fertilizing Roses Healthy repeat-blooming roses require nearly year-round feeding from early spring to fall to remain vigorous and resist diseases.
    Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 2 Mar. 2025
  • All have attractive foliage and most are vigorous spreaders, so keep that in mind when selecting a planting site.
    Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • On the other hand lies the more difficult but ultimately more promising path: repudiation of that post-2008 legacy and a conscientious return to a politics of the prudential center.
    Newsweek, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Additionally, generative AI maintains a detailed record of its decisions, offering a level of transparency that can be difficult to achieve in human decision making.
    David Paffenholz, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Though McBride — who has been subject to many aggressive comments from House Republicans since joining Congress in January — attempted to move on with the hearing, Massachusetts Rep. William Keating refused to let Self's disrespectful comment slide.
    Rachel Raposas, People.com, 12 Mar. 2025
  • Lately, SpaceX founder Elon Musk has taken an aggressive posture toward Europe.
    Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Global hiring can offer a fresh solution in these challenging times.
    James Peters, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Job resignations have slowed as workers perceive (and data supports) getting another job is more challenging.
    Michael Khouw, CNBC, 10 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • While confronting their violent history, a brutal bar fight and deadly feud reignites between Thomas, Ben, and the notorious Five Points Gang.
    Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 5 Mar. 2025
  • That career has been highlighted by some of the most violent fights in MMA history.
    Trent Reinsmith, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • All in all, even a moderate approach was like 12-hours of rigorous cardio.
    Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 1 Mar. 2025
  • Every mortgage article is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of mortgage products.
    Kelsey Neubauer, CNBC, 28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The answer to that question should be an emphatic 'No,' but a majority of this Court apparently thinks otherwise.
    Russel Honoré, Newsweek, 5 Mar. 2025
  • The answer to that question should be an emphatic 'No,' but a majority of this court apparently thinks otherwise.
    Nina Totenberg, NPR, 5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Schneider wants to take calculated risks in free agency, but that can be tough to do when Seattle is one of many teams needing interior offensive upgrades.
    Michael-Shawn Dugar, The Athletic, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Secret Service would likely have something to say about that, though the Cybertruck does have a pretty tough exterior.
    Emily Forlini, PCMAG, 11 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Strenuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strenuous. Accessed 16 Mar. 2025.

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