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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rigorous
Last year, the program was revised so instead of a rigorous application process, nominations were made by school faculty so the Rotarians could find the most deserving students who could use financial assistance, Saks said.
—
Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Apr. 2025
The God Squad has historically been convened only in exceptional cases, with rigorous checks and scientific review.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
The five startup founders who will pitch their ideas at Outside Ignite will be chosen from a rigorous selection process after an open call for applications that began in March.
—The Editors, Outside Online, 10 Apr. 2025
That’s the cost of such rigorous theming: Since you’re supposed to be inside a game, anything that gets in the way of that illusion is banned.
—Todd Anderson, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rigorous
Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Apr. 2025
The God Squad has historically been convened only in exceptional cases, with rigorous checks and scientific review.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
The five startup founders who will pitch their ideas at Outside Ignite will be chosen from a rigorous selection process after an open call for applications that began in March.
—The Editors, Outside Online, 10 Apr. 2025
That’s the cost of such rigorous theming: Since you’re supposed to be inside a game, anything that gets in the way of that illusion is banned.
—Todd Anderson, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rigorous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rigorous
Adjective
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So Read, a 56-year-old sexologist and writer based in Calgary, Canada, developed a strict sleep and bedtime routine.—
Erica Sweeney,
SELF,
18 Apr. 2025
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Augusta National Golf Club, where the tournament takes place each April, has a strict no cell phone and cameras rule during the four days of official competition.—
Jessica Radloff,
Glamour,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Prices were accurate at the time of publication but may change.—
Emily DeLetter,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2025
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Retailers often struggle with data silos, inconsistent quality, and integration issues, Sheridan says, which complicate accurate analysis in addition to concerns around consumer privacy.—
Kiri Masters,
Forbes.com,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Computer vision technologies can identify defects and ensure that parts meet stringent aerospace standards.—
Kathleen Walch,
Forbes.com,
27 Apr. 2025
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The bill, which passed by a 46-1 vote with one abstention, blocks helicopters that don’t meet the most stringent Federal Aviation Administration noise standards from flying out of the main Manhattan heliports in Midtown and near Wall St., beginning in 2029.—
Evan Simko-Bednarski,
New York Daily News,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The Whitecaps won games in Mexico, which is difficult to do.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
24 Apr. 2025
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The transition can be extremely difficult for some.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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However, the emotional side of living with the inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can be just as tough.—
Caitlin Carlson,
SELF,
28 Apr. 2025
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Published in English, Tehelka had a small circulation but an outsized reputation for tough investigations.—
Andrew Marantz,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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How To Translate Old-Fashioned Measurements Since measurements weren’t standardized, old-fashioned recipes often relied on household items instead of precise measuring tools.—
Alexandra Emanuelli,
Southern Living,
24 Apr. 2025
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But researchers also determined a precise mixture of extra ingredients to give their faux-calamari its familiar textural springiness.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The star went on to touch upon the more challenging aspects of parenthood in the interview, too, revealing to Harper’s Bazaar that RZA initially struggled with the idea of welcoming a sibling but eventually came around to being a big brother.—
Clare Fisher,
People.com,
28 Apr. 2025
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This is likely due to high interest rates and a challenging inflationary environment.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Hope reigns even in this harsh political climate we Americans are now experiencing.—
Bea L. Hines,
Miami Herald,
17 Apr. 2025
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Even if investors are slightly more confident this week, after Trump backed off most of his harshest tariff rates, the changes in people’s life-style habits serve as their own kind of affective barometer.—
Kyle Chayka,
New Yorker,
16 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rigorous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rigorous. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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