Synonyms of strenuous

strenuous

adjective

ˈstren-yə-wəs 

1

as in vigorous

marked by or uttered with forcefulness

parents who voiced strenuous objections to the new textbooks

Synonyms & Similar Words

• vigorous
• aggressive
• violent
• emphatic
• dynamic
• energetic
• forceful
• muscular
• insistent
• vehement
• assertive
• compelling
• clear
• marked
• striking
• decided
• pointed
• resounding
• full-blooded
• noticeable
• conspicuous
• categorical
• plain
• unequivocal
• unambiguous
• absolute
• impelling
• arresting

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• mild
• weak
• unemphatic
• nonassertive
• ambiguous
• guarded
• hesitant
• equivocal
• nonemphatic
• uncompelling
• wishy-washy
• understated
• halting

2

as in difficult

requiring considerable physical or mental effort

a strenuous workout on the obstacle course

Synonyms & Similar Words

• difficult
• challenging
• rigorous
• tough
• demanding
• hard
• formidable
• heavy
• complicated
• arduous
• effortful
• rough
• rugged
• grueling
• laborious
• sweaty
• severe
• exhausting
• uphill
• toilsome
• painful
• backbreaking
• herculean
• tall
• testing
• exacting
• murderous
• intricate
• complex
• stiff
• serious
• killer
• hellacious
• problematic
• stressful
• annoying
• pick-and-shovel
• brutal
• moiling
• oppressive
• elusive
• involved
• tricky
• stubborn
• onerous
• grim
• Augean
• burdensome
• bruising
• troublesome
• abstract
• abstruse
• thorny
• insoluble
• labored
• strict
• recondite
• tight
• irksome
• hairy
• ticklish
• vexatious
• stringent
• knotty
• trying
• opaque
• bothersome
• taxing
• distressing
• cruel
• spiny
• grievous
• inhuman

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• easy
• simple
• light
• soft
• undemanding
• effortless
• cheap
• mindless
• facile
• elementary
• manageable
• clear
• uncomplicated
• doable
• achievable
• gentle
• smooth
• painless
• relaxed
• soothing
• comforting
• friendly
• accessible
• user-friendly
• idiotproof

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

Recent Examples of strenuous

And, above all, in Montserrat, where pilgrims arrive by bus, cable car, cog railway and strenuous trails. —ABC News, 9 June 2026

The National Park Service warned that the return hike out of the canyon is much more strenuous. —Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 8 June 2026

The Amsterdam Polaroids extended Ghirri’s penchant for quotidian surrealism with some strenuous amalgams. —James Quandt, Artforum, 2 June 2026

The city sits at roughly 11,000 feet, and altitude acclimatization is essential before any strenuous activity, including standing through the multi-hour ceremony at Sacsayhuamán. —Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 2 June 2026