strenuous

1 of 2

adjective

stren·​u·​ous ˈstren-yə-wəs 

1

a

: vigorously active : energetic

Avoid strenuous exercise until the sprain heals.

b

: fervent, zealous

his most strenuous supporters

2

: marked by or calling for energy or stamina : arduous

a strenuous hike

strenuosity

ˌstren-yə-ˈwä-sə-tē 

noun

strenuously

ˈstren-yə-wəs-lē 

adverb

strenuousness noun

strenuosity

2 of 2

noun

stren·​u·​os·​i·​ty ˌstrenyəˈwäsətē 

-sətē, 

-i

variants or less commonly strenuity

streˈnyüə-

plural -es

: the quality or state of being strenuous

Synonyms of strenuous

Adjective

• vigorous
• aggressive
• violent
• emphatic

Choose the Right Synonym for strenuous

vigorous, energetic, strenuous, lusty, nervous mean having or showing great vitality and force.

vigorous further implies showing no signs of depletion or diminishing of freshness or robustness.

as vigorous as a youth half his age

energetic suggests a capacity for intense activity.

an energetic campaigner

strenuous suggests a preference for coping with the arduous or the challenging.

the strenuous life on an oil rig

lusty implies exuberant energy and capacity for enjoyment.

a lusty appetite for life

nervous suggests especially the forcibleness and sustained effectiveness resulting from mental vigor.

full of nervous energy

Examples of strenuous in a Sentence

Adjective

Avoid all strenuous exercise until the sprain heals.

Today has been a very strenuous day.

The proposal has faced strenuous opposition.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

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

For mountain scenery without any commitment to a strenuous hike, the gondola is a major advantage. —David Nikel, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026

That said, the women in Overland Park and surrounding areas have made the strenuous opening worthwhile. —Kansas City Star, 29 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin strenuus

Noun

strenuosity from strenuous + -ity; strenuity from Middle English strenuite, from Latin strenuitat-, strenuitas, from strenuus strenuous + -itat-, -itas -ity

First Known Use

Adjective

1599, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for strenuous

• disingenuous
• ingenuous

Kids Definition

strenuous

adjective

stren·​u·​ous ˈstren-yə-wəs 

1

a

: very active : energetic

leads a strenuous life

b

: fervent, zealous

strenuous protest

2

: showing or requiring great energy

strenuous tasks

strenuously adverb