strenuous

adjective

stren·​u·​ous ˈstren-yə-wəs How to pronounce strenuous (audio)
1
a
: vigorously active : energetic
b
: fervent, zealous
his most strenuous supporters
2
: marked by or calling for energy or stamina : arduous
a strenuous hike
strenuosity noun
strenuously adverb
strenuousness noun
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

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 In between more strenuous workouts, incorporate days off and active recovery sessions that include yoga or even gentle stretching on your couch. Dana Santas, CNN, 8 Mar. 2024 That sort of strenuous activity at altitude is not for everybody. John Meyer, The Denver Post, 31 Jan. 2024 The frequency of sunscreen application depends on a number of factors, including humidity, strenuous activity and swimming, but it should be reapplied every couple of hours during peak sunlight. Drs. Kate Oberlin, Keyvan Nouri and Lawrence Schachner, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2024 Experts suggest at least 1 to 3 rest days a week when engaging in exercise, especially strenuous workouts. USA TODAY, 4 Jan. 2024 With grace the themes are sewn together into a moving and cohesive plot inspired by Sholl’s life and the people who surrounded him during his own strenuous moment of grief that led him to unravel in similar ways. Holly Jones, Variety, 30 Nov. 2023 However, the activity of snow shoveling in cold temperatures can result in sudden and strenuous exertion by lifting heavy amounts of snow. Omer Awan, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 Robots are being used to assist with strength and mobility exercises, and are particularly useful in aiding patients who need support in performing complex or strenuous movements. Kyle Russell, The Arizona Republic, 23 Feb. 2024 Add in the need for brief bouts of strenuous exertion in the cold — experts say there’s strong evidence that activities like shoveling snow can trigger heart attacks and other heart issues, for example — and winter can be a recipe for disaster. Andrew Van Dam, Washington Post, 16 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'strenuous.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin strenuus

First Known Use

1599, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of strenuous was in 1599

Dictionary Entries Near strenuous

Cite this Entry

“Strenuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/strenuous. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

strenuous

adjective
stren·​u·​ous ˈstren-yə-wəs How to pronounce strenuous (audio)
1
a
: very active : energetic
leads a strenuous life
b
: fervent, zealous
strenuous protest
2
: showing or requiring great energy
strenuous tasks
strenuously adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on strenuous

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