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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective vigorous contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of vigorous are energetic, lusty, nervous, and strenuous. While all these words 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

Where would energetic be a reasonable alternative to vigorous?

Although the words energetic and vigorous have much in common, energetic suggests a capacity for intense activity.

an energetic campaigner

In what contexts can lusty take the place of vigorous?

While the synonyms lusty and vigorous are close in meaning, lusty implies exuberant energy and capacity for enjoyment.

a lusty appetite for life

When is it sensible to use nervous instead of vigorous?

In some situations, the words nervous and vigorous are roughly equivalent. However, nervous suggests especially the forcibleness and sustained effectiveness resulting from mental vigor.

full of nervous energy

When can strenuous be used instead of vigorous?

The synonyms strenuous and vigorous are sometimes interchangeable, but strenuous suggests a preference for coping with the arduous or the challenging.

the strenuous life on an oil rig

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 vigorous One study showed that a maximum reduction in mortality could result from 150 to 300 minutes per week of vigorous activity, 300 to 600 minutes per week of moderate physical activity, or a combination of these.2 2. Amy Kwan, Verywell Health, 16 Apr. 2025 Advocates of vigorous government oversight look upon the concept of federal preemption as a tool of deregulation. Glenn G. Lammi, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025 The American Heart Association recommends that adults get at least two and a half hours per week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or an hour and 15 minutes per week of vigorous aerobic activity, or some combination of both, preferably spread throughout the week. Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 14 Apr. 2025 And while the vision of Young, a vigorous 70 in his trademark schoolboy shorts, tie, crew socks and black shoes, is always amusing, there was nothing but serious respect for his finger-blistering playing. Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 11 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for vigorous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vigorous
Adjective
  • The energy rises as the wrestler and the rapper take energetic strides and bounce to the ring.
    Shaheem Reid, Variety, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Our sun cycles through its pattern of energetic activity every 11 years, but the technology scientists use to observe is advancing at a faster pace.
    Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • It’s entirely made of cotton that has been coated with polyvinyl to create a sturdy material with the look of pebbled leather, which is as water-resistant and stain-repellent as hide.
    Miles Walls, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Get to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building and avoid windows.
    STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • But in recent weeks, Musk dramatically lowered his taxpayer savings estimates from DOGE's government cuts, disagreed publicly with Trump's aggressive tariff policies and butted heads with multiple Trump officials, some publicly, revealing divisions within the White House over Musk's influence.
    Joey Garrison, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2025
  • But last year, he was diagnosed with Richter’s Syndrome, another aggressive form of lymphoma, just before he was set to embark on a set of U.S. shows.
    Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • According to research from Everytown for Gun Safety, a nonprofit that advocates for gun control, strong gun control laws are correlated with fewer gun deaths.
    Elliot Hughes, Journal Sentinel, 13 Jan. 2023
  • This results in a charge imbalance that builds up an electric field strong enough to trigger flashes of lightning.
    National Geographic, National Geographic, 13 Jan. 2023
Adjective
  • The platform has a robust interface that allows users to manage rosters across teams, from freshman to junior varsity (JV), and varsity.
    Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2025
  • The Panthers added two offensive weapons on Day 3 who also have robust return experience.
    Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 27 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The mountain hydrangea is hardy in zones 6a to 9b and prefers a woodland placement with dappled light.
    Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 25 Apr. 2025
  • According to the company, the rose bushes are hardy to planting zones 5-11.
    Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The Mavericks, on the other hand, are coming off an emphatic road win over the Kings.
    Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Catcher Rob Brantly fielded Josh Bell’s dribbler, stepped on home plate and fired the ball to first, ending the threat and eliciting an emphatic fist pump from Quantrill.
    Steve Gorten, Miami Herald, 13 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Trump's tariffs roiled markets but data shows a solid economy.
    Max Zahn, ABC News, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Global media and entertainment company Canal+ reported a solid start to 2025, with first-quarter revenues hitting €1.547 billion ($1.77 billion), up 1.5% organically compared to the same period last year, according to the company’s trading update released on Tuesday.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 29 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Vigorous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vigorous. Accessed 5 May. 2025.

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