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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective strenuous contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of strenuous are energetic, lusty, nervous, and vigorous. While all these words mean "having or showing great vitality and force," strenuous suggests a preference for coping with the arduous or the challenging.

the strenuous life on an oil rig

When is energetic a more appropriate choice than strenuous?

The words energetic and strenuous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, energetic suggests a capacity for intense activity.

an energetic campaigner

In what contexts can lusty take the place of strenuous?

Although the words lusty and strenuous have much in common, lusty implies exuberant energy and capacity for enjoyment.

a lusty appetite for life

When could nervous be used to replace strenuous?

While in some cases nearly identical to strenuous, nervous suggests especially the forcibleness and sustained effectiveness resulting from mental vigor.

full of nervous energy

When might vigorous be a better fit than strenuous?

The meanings of vigorous and strenuous largely overlap; however, vigorous further implies showing no signs of depletion or diminishing of freshness or robustness.

as vigorous as a youth half his age

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of strenuous For everyone else: Do less strenuous outdoor activities that don't require heavy breathing. Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025 These carbs can also help replenish glycogen stores that are depleted during strenuous activity. Lindsey Desoto, Health, 1 July 2025 When possible, reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. James Bickerton, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 June 2025 Time your activities wisely: If possible, reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening when the heat is less intense. Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 26 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for strenuous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strenuous
Adjective
  • During a vigorous cross examination, prosecutors parsed through his story, questioning him on his history with police officers.
    Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 18 July 2025
  • Adults should engage in 150 minutes of moderate physical activity — like walking, dancing or gardening — or 75 minutes of vigorous physical activity a week, Makarem added.
    Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 16 July 2025
Adjective
  • In a region where resources can be difficult to access and censorship persists, the initiative provided more than support.
    Essie Assibu, Variety, 15 July 2025
  • Ullmann is the daughter of the late Swedish director Ingmar Bergman and the Norwegian actor Liv Ullmann, and specifics of her childhood are not difficult to locate.
    Rachel Vorona Cote, The Atlantic, 15 July 2025
Adjective
  • In November 2021, Kimmy was diagnosed with an aggressive stage 3 inflammatory Breast Cancer, just nine months after welcoming her second son.
    Parents Editors, Parents, 22 July 2025
  • An aggressive hitter, Naylor can get extremely hot, and carry a team with drives to the gap or bombs over the fence.
    Bernie Pleskoff, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
Adjective
  • Points available at the stage’s finish vary based on a coefficient of difficulty: the more challenging the stage, the fewer points available.
    Sophie Kaufman, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
  • Besides the challenging business climate in Chicago, President Donald Trump’s tariffs are contributing to rising food costs, and his immigration crackdown threatens to disrupt the food-service workforce.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 21 July 2025
Adjective
  • The two got married, had a baby, and started a quiet life together far away from his violent past.
    Allison DeGrushe Published, EW.com, 14 July 2025
  • As droves of tourists continue to flock to Spain for European summer vacations, the nation’s emergency responders are dealing with the aftermath of a violent wave of flash flooding in nearly half of the country’s 50 provinces.
    Opheli Garcia Lawler, Travel + Leisure, 14 July 2025
Adjective
  • Ozzy Osbourne shared 3 children with first wife Thelma Riley The father of six children over two marriages, Osbourne has been vocal about how rigorous touring and alcohol use affected his family life.
    Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 23 July 2025
  • The 22-year-old flew to the United States and went through the DCC’s rigorous tryouts, eventually becoming one of six new rookies to join the 36-member squad, out of thousands who auditioned.
    Sean Neumann, People.com, 22 July 2025
Adjective
  • Świątek, currently ranked No. 4 in the world, reached the final in a series of emphatic victories.
    Grace Jordan-Weinstein, People.com, 12 July 2025
  • Two seasons have passed in a blur of stomping channel runs and emphatic finishes, with the 27-year-old racking up 97 goals in just over 8,400 minutes — the equivalent of 93 full games.
    Thom Harris, New York Times, 7 July 2025
Adjective
  • The tougher policy changes are adding to the minors’ trauma, advocates say.
    Nicol León, AZCentral.com, 22 July 2025
  • Her tough but fair approach caught the attention of Ed Koch, New York City's mayor at the time, who appointed her as a criminal court judge in 1982.
    Allison DeGrushe Published, EW.com, 21 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Strenuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strenuous. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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