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Synonym Chooser

How is the word rigorous distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of rigorous are rigid, strict, and stringent. While all these words mean "extremely severe or stern," rigorous implies the imposition of hardship and difficulty.

the rigorous training of recruits

When can rigid be used instead of rigorous?

While in some cases nearly identical to rigorous, rigid implies uncompromising inflexibility.

rigid rules of conduct

When would strict be a good substitute for rigorous?

Although the words strict and rigorous have much in common, strict emphasizes undeviating conformity to rules, standards, or requirements.

strict enforcement of the law

When might stringent be a better fit than rigorous?

The synonyms stringent and rigorous are sometimes interchangeable, but stringent suggests severe, tight restriction or limitation.

stringent standards of admission

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of rigorous For Bernow, more attention on stem cell therapy will only put pressure on the field to remain rigorous and, eventually, more accessible. Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 5 Sep. 2025 To meet this challenge, the design engineers worked to find new ways to uncover problems earlier, pushing the envelope on computer modeling, developing more rigorous testing, and collaborating more with the engineers in the plants. Nelson P. Repenning, Time, 5 Sep. 2025 Every article is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of financial products. Brian Sloan, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2025 The winners, chosen through a rigorous selection process overseen by an international jury, represent diverse voices from across India’s film industries. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 3 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rigorous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rigorous
Adjective
  • Without a strict hierarchy or single decision-maker, our process can sometimes be slow, messy, or even tiring.
    Caterina De Biasio, Vogue, 11 Sep. 2025
  • At too many colleges, leaders have been reluctant to impose strict rules or harsh penalties for chatbot use, passing the buck to professors to come up with their own policies.
    Tyler Austin Harper, The Atlantic, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Those physically-accurate models in the digital twin of the data center function exactly like their physical counterparts in the real world.
    Marco Chiappetta, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
  • The goal, administration officials said on a call with reporters Tuesday morning, is to use laws that are already on the books to ensure people receive transparent, accurate information about drugs, especially potential risk factors.
    Will McDuffie, ABC News, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The result is a resilient, insight-ready infrastructure that supports faster investigations, leaner maintenance and more agile process improvement—without compromising the stringent regulatory environment that defines the industry.
    Nagesh Nama, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • The administration has griped about the large fines that the EU has levied as a result of their privacy laws and antitrust laws that are significantly more stringent and enforced more frequently in Europe than in the United States.
    David Goldman, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The Bulls look to be the best team in the Group of Five conferences, while the Gators and coach Billy Napier are now under pressure with a difficult SEC schedule ahead.
    Erick Smith, USA Today, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Usually the final day of boot camp is most difficult.
    Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • That’s a tough dichotomy to bridge, but the new 2025 911 Carrera GTS achieves it brilliantly.
    Mark Phelan, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2025
  • The tough stainless steel loops are reinforced and designed to remain rust-free even after years of use, and a three number combination lock will be easy to remember and difficult to crack.
    Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Although the wildfire is believed to be caused by human activity, the precise action that set it off remains unknown.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 7 Sep. 2025
  • In conjunction with the 911's variable ratio power steering, the result is precise, predictable steering and intuitive maneuverability.
    Mark Phelan, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • To be sure, the last few years have been more challenging, with Gucci rapidly losing momentum — and Kering’s debt load swelling after an acquisition spree that included Creed, Maui Jim, a 30 percent stake in Valentino, and large chunks of prime real estate.
    Miles Socha, Footwear News, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Ultimately, gig engineering is becoming an attractive but challenging path.
    Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The once-beloved pastels will become harsh.
    Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 6 Sep. 2025
  • The pilgrimage, listed on the official calendar of jubilee events, comes as gay Catholics look to Pope Leo XIV to continue down the bold path of his predecessor to welcome into the church a group that has in the past faced alienation and sometimes harsh treatment.
    Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Rigorous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rigorous. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.

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