rigorous

adjective

rig·​or·​ous ˈri-g(ə-)rəs 

1

: manifesting, exercising, or favoring rigor : very strict

2

a

: marked by extremes of temperature or climate

b

: harsh, severe

3

: scrupulously accurate : precise

rigorously adverb

rigorousness noun

Synonyms

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

Choose the Right Synonym for rigorous

rigid, rigorous, strict, stringent mean extremely severe or stern.

rigid implies uncompromising inflexibility.

rigid rules of conduct

rigorous implies the imposition of hardship and difficulty.

the rigorous training of recruits

strict emphasizes undeviating conformity to rules, standards, or requirements.

strict enforcement of the law

stringent suggests severe, tight restriction or limitation.

stringent standards of admission

Examples of rigorous in a Sentence

rigorous enforcement of the rules

a rigorous course of study

We subjected the data to a rigorous analysis.

Recent Examples on the Web

As the Summer Olympics inch closer, Douglas has partnered with Dr. Scholl’s to share the products and rituals that keep her skin in tip-top shape during rigorous training. —Catherine Santino, Peoplemag, 17 Apr. 2024

There’s no Good Housekeeping seal for A.I. chatbots, and few independent groups are putting these tools through their paces in a rigorous way. —Kevin Roose, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2024

Despite the rigorous load of required learning in her schedule and her part time work as a lifeguard, Kate devoured the book and was excited to talk about it with me when she was done. —Joe Mutascio, The Indianapolis Star, 15 Apr. 2024

In his view, medical recommendations are often too conservative; in some cases, rigorous studies would not only take too long but also be unethical or impractical. —Dhruv Khullar, The New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2024

Already, assumptions are being made about the mechanisms of GLP-1 agonists without the rigorous testing necessary to assess their validity. —Gary Taubes, The Atlantic, 15 Apr. 2024

This diverse management team of professionals at Prepared Food Photos has implemented rigorous copyright protection measures to address the elephant in the room, exclusivity. —Jon Stojan, Detroit Free Press, 12 Apr. 2024

Candidates must pass a rigorous licensing exam involving grammar, punctuation, and legal jargon, plus transcribe 200 words per minute with 97.5% accuracy, among other qualifications. —Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2024

The parking lot designs, rigorous and formal, are enlivened by the accidental stains in the pavement organically left by cars. —Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

rigorous

adjective

rig·​or·​ous ˈrig-(ə-)rəs 

1

: very strict

2

: marked by great differences of temperature or climate

3

: very accurate

rigorously adverb

rigorousness noun