rigorous

rig·or·ous

adjective \ˈri-g(ə-)rəs\

Definition of RIGOROUS

1

: manifesting, exercising, or favoring rigor : very strict

2

a : marked by extremes of temperature or climate

b : harsh, severe

3

: scrupulously accurate : precise

— rig·or·ous·ly adverb

— rig·or·ous·ness noun

Examples of RIGOROUS

1. rigorous enforcement of the rules
2. a rigorous course of study
3. We subjected the data to a rigorous analysis.

First Known Use of RIGOROUS

15th century

Related to RIGOROUS

Synonyms

austere, authoritarian, flinty, hard, harsh, heavy-handed, ramrod, rigid, severe, stern, strict, tough

Antonyms

clement, forbearing, gentle, indulgent, lax, lenient, tolerant

Related Words

demanding, exacting; uncharitable, unforgiving; adamant, adamantine, callous, hardened, hard-hearted, hard-line, immovable, implacable, inflexible, merciless, ossified, pitiless, relentless, rock-ribbed, stiff, unbending, uncompromising, unrelenting, unsparing, unyielding; dour, gruff; ascetic (also ascetical), monastic, monkish; browbeating, bullying; determined, firm, resolved, single-minded, steadfast, unflinching; dogged, intractable, obstinate, relentless

Near Antonyms

easy, easygoing, laid-back, undemanding; charitable, kind, merciful, mild, patient, soft, softhearted; accepting, compromising, yielding; responsive, willing; acquiescent, agreeable, amenable, complaisant, compliant, flexible, pliable, pliant

See Synonym Discussion at rigid