1
as in strict
given to exacting standards of discipline and self-restraint
a rigorous football coach who pushes his players to their physical and mental limits
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2
as in accurate
meeting the highest standard of accuracy
a rigorous analysis of the data
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3
as in stringent
not allowing for any exceptions or loosening of standards
a rigorous diet and exercise regimen
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4
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort
studied for umpteen months for the rigorous exam
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rigorous
Dreams of earning strike pilot wings collide with the harsh reality of the most rigorous tests yet.
—
Devonne Goode, Parents, 18 Sep. 2025
For the next six years, Kira endured a rigorous drug treatment regime and was frequently in and out of hospitals.
—Ruchi Kumar, NPR, 14 Sep. 2025
Because this nasal spray is widely available, researchers wanted to test it on human participants in a rigorous setting to see whether azelastine could, in fact, reduce coronavirus infection.
—Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025
To get to that point, Sandlin said, his company went through a rigorous process that involved submitting engineering plans and hydrology reports showing how the floodplain could be safely reclaimed.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rigorous
Devonne Goode, Parents, 18 Sep. 2025
For the next six years, Kira endured a rigorous drug treatment regime and was frequently in and out of hospitals.
—Ruchi Kumar, NPR, 14 Sep. 2025
Because this nasal spray is widely available, researchers wanted to test it on human participants in a rigorous setting to see whether azelastine could, in fact, reduce coronavirus infection.
—Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025
To get to that point, Sandlin said, his company went through a rigorous process that involved submitting engineering plans and hydrology reports showing how the floodplain could be safely reclaimed.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rigorous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rigorous
Adjective
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Sulfide electrolytes fall apart when exposed to humidity, demanding strict atmospheric controls during manufacturing.—
Tejasri Gururaj,
Interesting Engineering,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Another 22% want innovation with strict risk controls.—
Lawrence Wintermeyer,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Plus, recent studies have indicated that reliance on AI models can reduce physicians' ability to make accurate clinical judgments in the absence of AI.—
Alexis Kayser,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Sep. 2025
-
Prices were accurate at the time of publication but may change.—
Kasey Caminiti,
USA Today,
24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The convergence of stringent regulatory mandates and legacy infrastructure constraints creates a unique challenge that requires strategic technical program management approaches.—
Harneet Kalra,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
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To back the need for more stringent list maintenance, many of those groups have pushed misleading information about widespread fraud in elections.—
Miles Parks,
NPR,
17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Winning that game won't be easy, but winning it without Lamb would be even more difficult.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Sep. 2025
-
There will be times, like at a raucous Goodison Park last February, when Everton can rise to an occasion and make life difficult for their neighbours.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
21 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The Red Rocketeers were looking to bounce back after a tough loss against King Phillip, but the opponent was strong.—
Zachary McMahon,
Boston Herald,
20 Sep. 2025
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Lee described the rookies as tough competitors who displayed a championship mentality during their run to the summer league championship.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
20 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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These small-scale outfit changes, paired with an intricate and precise lighting design that, at times, bathed the arena in blue light, seemed to reveal Lorde’s desire to bare everything, to be so transparent as to be see through.—
Rachel Seo,
Variety,
20 Sep. 2025
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The achievement could open doors not only for probing fundamental physics but also for creating ultra-precise sensors.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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More than 3 million clinicians have trusted the tool for over three decades and are already using it to find best practices for challenging, complex medical cases.—
Alexis Kayser,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Sep. 2025
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Sometimes finding the comment section in the wee hours has been more challenging than the puzzle itself.—
Mark Cooper,
New York Times,
24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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These findings highlight an urgent need to shield stem cells from the harsh realities of space.—
Pranjal Malewar,
New Atlas,
20 Sep. 2025
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Rain is coming, penciled in for an hour or two from now, and a harsh British wind is flinging leaves off branches and cloaking the countryside with something that smells dungy and damp.—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
20 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rigorous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rigorous. Accessed 24 Sep. 2025.
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