rigorous

1 of 2

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

rigorousness

2 of 2

noun

rig·​or·​ous·​ness

variants or British rigourousness

plural -es

: the quality or state of being rigorous

Synonyms of rigorous

Adjective

• 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

Adjective

rigorous enforcement of the rules

a rigorous course of study

We subjected the data to a rigorous analysis.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

For months the university has been briefing journalists that its appointment system is rigorous and defendable, and that the campaign was targeted against a Black academic because of his race. — Rupert Neate, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026

The key is to separate product admiration from rigorous financial analysis, focusing on market expectations, ownership, and catalysts over the consumer experience. — Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026

But those lists are based on how many calls each company receives in a year, not a rigorous survey. — ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026

Thanks to the shrinking publishing industry and dwindling writerly job market, the internet is rife with smart freelance editors, rigorous copy editors, and award-winning authors moonlighting as book doulas. — Keziah Weir, Vanity Fair, 13 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

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