Synonyms of vigorous

vigorous

adjective

ˈvi-g(ə-)rəs 

1

as in energetic

having active strength of body or mind

he remains healthy and vigorous despite being over 80 years old

Synonyms & Similar Words

• energetic
• robust
• dynamic
• lively
• powerful
• strong
• healthy
• lusty
• vital
• spirited
• tough
• capable
• athletic
• peppy
• mighty
• brisk
• red-blooded
• hale
• muscular
• flush
• vivacious
• sprightly
• sturdy
• fit
• kinetic
• animated
• hardy
• gingery
• energized
• virile
• rugged
• stout
• vitalized
• competent
• punchy
• invigorated
• sound
• rejuvenated
• dashing
• beefy
• burly
• fortified
• enlivened
• stalwart
• firm
• refreshed
• brawny
• husky
• hearty
• mettlesome
• puissant
• robustious
• revitalized
• strapping
• able-bodied

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• sluggish
• feeble
• weak
• dull
• faint
• lethargic
• listless
• torpid
• delicate
• frail
• weakened
• infirm
• tired
• effete
• impotent
• wan
• soft
• powerless
• languid
• lazy
• indolent
• prostrate
• lackadaisical
• enervated
• ill
• wimpy
• unhealthy
• nerveless
• unsound
• spineless
• invertebrate
• sapped
• disabled
• unwell
• prostrated
• wasted
• debilitated
• decrepit
• broken-down
• worn-out

2

as in sturdy

able to withstand hardship, strain, or exposure

vigorous and sturdy little sheep bred to live in mountainous regions

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sturdy
• strong
• hardy
• tough
• stout
• rugged
• hardened
• robust
• durable
• healthy
• cast-iron
• hard
• staunch
• toughened
• permanent
• hard-bitten
• thriving
• resilient
• stable
• inured
• tenacious
• lasting
• enduring
• muscular
• stalwart
• unyielding
• virile
• leathery
• immortal
• flinty
• flourishing
• everlasting
• stanch
• staying
• lusty
• imperishable
• brawny
• prospering
• tempered
• hale
• fortified
• sound
• husky
• seasoned
• able-bodied
• fit
• red-blooded
• strapping
• annealed

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• weak
• soft
• delicate
• tender
• enfeebled
• weakened
• wasted
• worn
• exhausted
• diseased
• unsound
• emasculated
• sensitive
• fragile
• debilitated
• infirm
• susceptible
• puny
• frail
• incapacitated
• vulnerable
• crippled
• nonhardy
• enervated
• transient
• temporary
• sapped
• yielding
• worn-out
• resistless
• run-down
• mortal
• perishable
• unresistant

3

as in aggressive

marked by or uttered with forcefulness

offered a vigorous dissent to the proposal

Synonyms & Similar Words

• aggressive
• emphatic
• violent
• dynamic
• energetic
• forceful
• strenuous
• vehement
• insistent
• assertive
• muscular
• compelling
• clear
• striking
• pointed
• full-blooded
• marked
• resounding
• decided
• conspicuous
• noticeable
• unequivocal
• unambiguous
• categorical
• plain
• absolute
• categoric
• impelling
• arresting

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• mild
• weak
• unemphatic
• nonassertive
• ambiguous
• guarded
• hesitant
• equivocal
• nonemphatic
• understated
• wishy-washy
• uncompelling
• halting

4

as in strong

not showing weakness or uncertainty

gave the bottle of sauce a vigorous shaking

Synonyms & Similar Words

• strong
• solid
• sturdy
• firm
• robust
• powerful
• forceful
• lusty
• tough
• stout
• iron
• hearty
• mighty
• brisk
• lively
• hard
• energetic
• spirited
• unyielding
• vivacious
• sprightly
• perky
• ironclad
• frisky
• confident
• animated
• springy
• vital
• peppy
• jaunty
• jazzy
• certain
• secure
• sanguine
• sure
• zippy
• assured
• sprightful

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• weak
• uncertain
• feeble
• fragile
• frail
• listless
• limp
• spiritless
• diffident
• insecure
• wimpy
• weakened
• spineless
• effete
• characterless
• self-doubting
• weak-kneed
• wishy-washy

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

Recent Examples of vigorous

Follow proper pruning, watering, and fertilizer to maintain healthy, vigorous plants and reduce competition for limited resources. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 5 July 2025

The company’s remarkable revenue growth, vigorous cash generation, and solid balance sheet provide a strong basis for continued expansion. —Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025

Last week, big banks passed their most recent stress test, but those were reportedly less vigorous than previous years. —Frank Holland, CNBC, 30 June 2025

Jane Street has disputed the findings and is expected to mount a vigorous defense. —Daniel Schlaepfer, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025