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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 Numerous studies have found that strenuous recovery activities, stress levels as storms approach, and exposure to extreme heat during power outages can cause short—term and longer risks for people with cardiovascular disease. Marshall Shepherd, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025 Removing a bathtub ring is nothing hard or strenuous. Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 14 Sep. 2025 Some ideas include mixing it into juice, yogurt, applesauce, a smoothie, or oatmeal—none of these should feel too heavy after a strenuous workout, either. Christina Manian, Health, 10 Sep. 2025 Avoid strenuous outdoor activities. Jade Jackson, IndyStar, 9 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for strenuous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strenuous
Adjective
  • Divide plants into clumps with three to five vigorous shoots each, discarding any small, weak, or woody portions.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Only 22% of kids did moderate-to-vigorous exercise before bed, in rare, short bouts.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • For once, the bulk of the anger was directed not at Fosun — the investment group and majority shareholder – and the Molineux hierarchy who have conspired to deal Pereira a difficult hand, but at the head coach himself and his players.
    Steve Madeley, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Romancelandia’s social world, harnessed by its business-minded authors, may make its success exceedingly difficult to replicate.
    Rebecca Ackermann, The Atlantic, 5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Sell assets for picks and cap space and attack an aggressive rebuild this offseason.
    Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Control an aggressive infestation with a preemergent herbicide applied in late summer before chickweed seeds germinate.
    Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The big story Immigration anxieties and a challenging job market have sparked an online backlash over China's latest attempt at attracting global talent — a new visa program announced in August.
    Anniek Bao, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2025
  • His expertise could greatly benefit Ott, ahead of what is destined to be a challenging year in Phoenix.
    Alex Kirschenbaum, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • While Memphis has seen high numbers of violent crimes such as homicides and carjackings in recent years, Democratic and Republican officials have noted decreases this year in some crime categories.
    Devon M. Sayers, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Even so, to take on one of the most famous women in history — and through a lens so bloody and violent — is a mighty tall order.
    Shirley Halperin, HollywoodReporter, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The coins will undergo a rigorous conservation process before being given to local museums for public display, according to the company.
    Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 4 Oct. 2025
  • During a recent appearance on Vulture’s Good One podcast, the standup recalled prepping for the rigorous audition process for a year while doing improv and working day jobs in Chicago.
    Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • But this feels emphatic, even by her standards, as a capri-enthusiast.
    Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 1 Oct. 2025
  • In amongst the abuse hurled at Rory McIlroy, the beer thrown at Rory McIlroy, the emphatic retorts from Rory McIlroy and also some golf from Rory McIlory (and 23 other guys), something interesting kept cropping up during the Ryder Cup at Bethpage.
    Nick Miller, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Lammens was perhaps fortunate to escape sanction then (Stuart Atwell booked the forward for diving), but this was a valuable occasion ahead of tougher tests, beginning at Anfield.
    Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2025
  • There will be some tough picking in there, but typically the predicting business gets a little easier in region play.
    Tyler Palmateer, Nashville Tennessean, 4 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Strenuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strenuous. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

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