vigorous

adjective

vig·​or·​ous ˈvi-g(ə-)rəs 

1

: done with vigor : carried out forcefully and energetically

vigorous exercises

2

: possessing vigor : full of physical or mental strength or active force : strong

a vigorous youth

a vigorous plant

vigorousness noun

Synonyms of vigorous

• energetic
• robust
• dynamic
• lively

Choose the Right Synonym for vigorous

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 vigorous in a Sentence

She remained vigorous into her nineties.

His speech was met with vigorous applause.

She gave a vigorous defense of her beliefs.

Recent Examples on the Web

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) tell us that just a single engagement of moderate to vigorous physical activity can improve sleep, decrease anxiety and lower blood pressure. —Helen Dennis, Daily News, 4 Apr. 2026

Dwarf varieties, for example, can fit in a small bowl of water on your patio; larger, more vigorous lilies need a pool that has space for their roots to spread. —Helena Madden, Martha Stewart, 2 Apr. 2026

Using a week’s worth of data, scientists quantified each person’s total physical movement, along with the proportion of activity that was vigorous enough to make them out of breath. —Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 30 Mar. 2026

There is a very vigorous fact checking that has only gotten more and more vigorous. —Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 27 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English vigorous, vigrous, from Anglo-French, from vigour

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for vigorous

• rigorous

Kids Definition

vigorous

adjective

vig·​or·​ous ˈvig-(ə-)rəs 

1

: having vigor : robust

vigorous youth

a vigorous plant

2

: done with force and energy

a vigorous protest

vigorously adverb

vigorousness noun