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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in accurate
meeting the highest standard of accuracy
a rigorous analysis of the data
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rigorous
Every article is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of small business products.
—
Jasmin Suknanan, CNBC, 7 May 2025
Most grant recipients endure a rigorous vetting process, which can involve multiple stages of peer review before approval, and before this year, Bulls testified that grant terminations at the NIH have historically been rare.
—Annie Waldman, ProPublica, 7 May 2025
Alex Chan, an attorney who serves as chair of the State Bar’s Committee of Bar Examiners, said that despite the bar exam’s problems, the grading process remained rigorous and consistent with previous administrations.
—Jenny Jarvie, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2025
Though the cancer was not considered aggressive, her doctors recommended a rigorous treatment plan.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for rigorous
Jasmin Suknanan, CNBC, 7 May 2025
Most grant recipients endure a rigorous vetting process, which can involve multiple stages of peer review before approval, and before this year, Bulls testified that grant terminations at the NIH have historically been rare.
—Annie Waldman, ProPublica, 7 May 2025
Alex Chan, an attorney who serves as chair of the State Bar’s Committee of Bar Examiners, said that despite the bar exam’s problems, the grading process remained rigorous and consistent with previous administrations.
—Jenny Jarvie, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2025
Though the cancer was not considered aggressive, her doctors recommended a rigorous treatment plan.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for rigorous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rigorous
Adjective
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By pinpointing high-privilege users and monitoring data-sharing behaviors, Reco assists CISOs in implementing stricter access controls.—
Maria Williams,
USA Today,
13 May 2025
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For many kids, this is about just expressing themselves, rather than strict communication, Estevez says.—
Wendy Wisner,
Parents,
12 May 2025
Adjective
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Prices were accurate at the time of publication but may change.—
Amaris Encinas,
USA Today,
19 May 2025
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To be more accurate, residents in 69 towns rolled out their trash bins every week and never thought about where it was headed and one town received it all.—
Sarah McCoy,
Hartford Courant,
18 May 2025
Adjective
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Mexico, meanwhile, has just one gun store in the country and stringent firearms laws.—
Melissa Quinn
May 9,
CBS News,
9 May 2025
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As of March 12, 2025, SSA introduced a more stringent identity verification procedure, which requires a new two-factor authentication process.—
Elliot Raphaelson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
9 May 2025
Adjective
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Two of Elissa’s tumors were obliterated that day, but the third was too difficult to reach without repositioning Elissa’s body in a way that would have taken too much time under anesthesia.—
Kristen Jordan Shamus,
USA Today,
19 May 2025
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Luca Solca sector head for global luxury goods at Bernstein Clouding the picture further, many other premium Swiss watchmakers including Rolex, Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet, are privately owned, making their performance difficult to decipher.—
Karen Gilchrist,
CNBC,
18 May 2025
Adjective
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Last year’s drought conditions that extended into late fall combined with very windy winter conditions and frozen soils were tough for some evergreens.—
Pamm Cooper,
Hartford Courant,
10 May 2025
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Dodging tough questions without seeming a bit evasive.—
Wesley Stenzel,
EW.com,
10 May 2025
Adjective
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Thanks to a precise forecast of aurora three days after a huge CME left the sun in the direction of Mars, Perseverance’s SuperCam and Mastcam-Z instruments observed green aurora.—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2025
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The Angels declined to provide further information on the precise nature of the surgery.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
15 May 2025
Adjective
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On one hand, the problem makes a manager’s life more challenging by limiting a team’s available options to potentially finish a close game.—
Dan Hayes,
New York Times,
10 May 2025
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Saving for retirement has become more challenging for many reasons.—
Aliss Higham,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 May 2025
Adjective
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From adorable accents to cozy touches, drivers are increasingly looking for ways to make their commutes and grocery runs just a bit more enjoyable—perhaps to offset the harsh reality of gas prices (and everything else).—
Cori Sears,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 May 2025
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Avoid harsh products: Soaps, lotions, and products with fragrance, alcohol, or dyes can dry out the skin and worsen atopic dermatitis.—
Health,
Health,
11 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rigorous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rigorous. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
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