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 of rigorous

• strict
• tough
• harsh
• authoritarian
• rigid
• stern

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

His girlfriend immediately started persuading him to write a piece for AFM, on the basis that the editing would be rigorous and the pay, most appealingly, would be premium. —Julia Hass, Literary Hub, 24 Nov. 2025

Every savings article is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of banking products. —Jasmin Suknanan, CNBC, 23 Nov. 2025

Like Brillat-Savarin's wild turkey dinner in 1794, David's food is marked by the finest organic American ingredients and rigorous French technique. —Jeffrey Steingarten, Vogue, 23 Nov. 2025

The Hazelden Betty Ford Center in Rancho Mirage is one of California’s exceedingly rare chemical dependency hospitals, subject to much more rigorous oversight than California’s nearly 2,000 licensed or certified addiction treatment facilities. —Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 23 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for rigorous

• vigorous

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