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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
High Hygiene Standards All hair transplant surgeons need to perform all medical procedures in certified medical facilities that adhere to rigorous hygiene protocols.
—
Karen “kh” Koehler
february 4, Miami Herald, 4 Feb. 2026
Seeking to avoid another blunder, board members formalized the succession planning, establishing a committee led by Gorman, who instituted a more rigorous evaluation.
—Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Lee’s studies are smaller than most rigorous clinical trials, ranging in size from two to 16 study participants, and don’t include comparison groups.
—Sara Talpos — Undark, STAT, 3 Feb. 2026
While it is not accredited, the IPS strives to be no less rigorous or critical than the programs that seek such validation.
—Catherine Taft, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rigorous
Karen “kh” Koehler
february 4, Miami Herald, 4 Feb. 2026
Seeking to avoid another blunder, board members formalized the succession planning, establishing a committee led by Gorman, who instituted a more rigorous evaluation.
—Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Lee’s studies are smaller than most rigorous clinical trials, ranging in size from two to 16 study participants, and don’t include comparison groups.
—Sara Talpos — Undark, STAT, 3 Feb. 2026
While it is not accredited, the IPS strives to be no less rigorous or critical than the programs that seek such validation.
—Catherine Taft, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rigorous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rigorous
Adjective
-
Researchers examined containment, shielding, and redundancy measures to ensure compliance with strict safety expectations for civilian nuclear applications.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy.—
Tom Gavin,
EverydayHealth.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Prices were accurate at the time of publication but may change.—
Jennifer Sangalang,
Florida Times-Union,
5 Feb. 2026
-
In the past year, the company has added two new integrations to provide users with more accurate data from their Oura ring, as well as 14 new features addressing, among other things, pregnancy and cumulative stress.—
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez,
Fortune,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Most agencies have stringent data protection and retention policies, and Illinois law prohibits the sharing of LPR data with federal agencies.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Sean Hannity, who hosts a daily radio show in addition to his primetime Fox News show, seemed to decry the idea of a more stringent enforcement in a statement to the Los Angeles Times.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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This requires the difficult task of collecting precise, real-world measurements of complex nuclei and comparing the measurements with the models’ predictions.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Feb. 2026
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While that process may prove difficult, the suspension option was hardly better.—
Zach LaChance,
The Washington Examiner,
2 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Most importantly, Alvarado relishes in his role as a tough-nosed, point-of-attack defender, an area the Knicks have had trouble despite building a roster with notable defenders across all positions.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
5 Feb. 2026
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With a durable and tough rubber sole featuring Vibram's TC5+ technology, each step offers the right amount of flex and resistance for a comfortable hiking experience.—
Michael Cappetta,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Using fresh data from NASA’s Juno spacecraft, researchers at Israel’s Weizmann Institute of Science have produced the most precise measurements yet of the solar system’s largest planet, showing that Jupiter is slightly smaller and more flattened than earlier estimates suggested.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Feb. 2026
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Advertising in the Super Bowl is usually a play for mass reach, but some marketers are using the spectacle in more precise fashion.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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And for Waller, no request is too challenging.—
Kati Chitrakorn,
CNN Money,
4 Feb. 2026
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Hired for the purpose of maintaining continuity after Rick Tocchet’s departure and because of his strong relationship with Quinn Hughes, who has since been traded, Foote’s first opportunity to serve as an NHL bench boss has been a challenging one.—
Thomas Drance,
New York Times,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The energy output is designed to remain stable down to –50 degrees Celsius, supporting reliable operation in some of the harshest climates on Earth, reports InsideEVs.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Feb. 2026
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Rapinchuk recommends only using non-toxic products when cleaning your refrigerator and avoiding anything with harsh chemicals, such as bleach and ammonia.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rigorous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rigorous. Accessed 8 Feb. 2026.
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