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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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
Every student loan list is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of student loan products.
—
Jasmin Suknanan,
CNBC,
26 June 2026
And unnecessary financial barriers to licensure should be carefully examined while maintaining rigorous professional standards.
—
Luis Contreras,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 June 2026
Ford created more rigorous supplier quality efforts standards for accountability.
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Breana Noble,
Chicago Tribune,
25 June 2026
The accelerated filing windows and rigorous liability standards introduced in 2023 may increase the importance of timely documentation and understanding available legal processes.
—
Matthew Kayser,
Miami Herald,
25 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for rigorous
Jasmin Suknanan,
CNBC,
26 June 2026
And unnecessary financial barriers to licensure should be carefully examined while maintaining rigorous professional standards.
—
Luis Contreras,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 June 2026
Ford created more rigorous supplier quality efforts standards for accountability.
—
Breana Noble,
Chicago Tribune,
25 June 2026
The accelerated filing windows and rigorous liability standards introduced in 2023 may increase the importance of timely documentation and understanding available legal processes.
—
Matthew Kayser,
Miami Herald,
25 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for rigorous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rigorous
Adjective
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California has strict fireworks laws because of the combination of fire danger and population, Berlant said.
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In whatever role, expect Teng to be on a strict innings limit and pitch count for his next few outings at Triple-A Sugar Land.
Adjective
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Prices were accurate at the time of publication but may change.
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Television executives say those viewers have always been watching at bars, restaurants and other locations, so now the ratings are a more accurate reflection of the real audience size.
Adjective
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Anthropic calls for more stringent regulation and supports efforts by states such as New York and California that have passed more aggressive AI laws.
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Rather than dealing with the dynamics driving away wealth, Xi Jinping’s totalitarian regime is imposing stringent new controls on buying stocks, real estate and insurance policies overseas.
Adjective
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Aviation experts said those conditions would have been difficult to navigate that evening when the helicopter, a Robinson R66, crashed in the Dawson Forest Wildlife Management Area.
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But traffic on the waterway remains a fraction of pre-war levels with different authorities vying to organize the transit of vessels, leaving operators with a difficult choice over which path to take.
Adjective
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Summer 2026 is having a tough time deciding on this season’s dominating nail trend.
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These are typically low-wage jobs that the healthcare industry writ large has had a tough time recruiting for since the pandemic.
Adjective
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The bottle even features a pointed nozzle for a precise, mess-free application.
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The more precise and thoughtful your feedback, the more useful the AI’s output will become.
Adjective
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Keeping your hair looking and feeling shiny can be challenging, but not with this hair kit.
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Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Jaime Moore said that fighting the fire had been extremely challenging.
Adjective
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Plant magnolias somewhere they will be protected from harsh winds, especially when buds or flowers are developing.
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Most clarifying shampoos tend to be a little harsh and drying, but this one is gentle and nourishing.
Cite this Entry
“Rigorous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rigorous. Accessed 1 Jul. 2026.
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