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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective vigorous contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of vigorous are energetic, lusty, nervous, and strenuous. While all these words mean "having or showing great vitality and force," vigorous further implies showing no signs of depletion or diminishing of freshness or robustness.

as vigorous as a youth half his age

Where would energetic be a reasonable alternative to vigorous?

Although the words energetic and vigorous have much in common, energetic suggests a capacity for intense activity.

an energetic campaigner

In what contexts can lusty take the place of vigorous?

While the synonyms lusty and vigorous are close in meaning, lusty implies exuberant energy and capacity for enjoyment.

a lusty appetite for life

When is it sensible to use nervous instead of vigorous?

In some situations, the words nervous and vigorous are roughly equivalent. However, nervous suggests especially the forcibleness and sustained effectiveness resulting from mental vigor.

full of nervous energy

When can strenuous be used instead of vigorous?

The synonyms strenuous and vigorous are sometimes interchangeable, but strenuous suggests a preference for coping with the arduous or the challenging.

the strenuous life on an oil rig

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 vigorous However, that study defined short spurts as structured, moderate-to-vigorous activity. Lindsey Leake, NBC news, 27 Oct. 2025 The American Heart Association recommends that adults get at least two-and-a-half hours per week of moderate-intensity physical activity, or one-and-a-half hours per week of vigorous activity, or a combination of both. Dr. Cyrus Mowdawalla, ABC News, 27 Oct. 2025 If your once-vigorous plant is starting to look sickly, spider mites may be the culprits. Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 27 Oct. 2025 While Sheridan felt the frost from Paramount’s TV leaders on the streaming side Cindy Holland, who runs Paramount+, and Dana Goldberg, who oversees the Paramount TV Studios where Sheridan is based, the courtship from others was vigorous. Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 27 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for vigorous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vigorous
Adjective
  • With the right team in place, sessions feel warm, energetic, and inviting.
    Matt Emma, USA Today, 3 Nov. 2025
  • Williams went viral for his energetic behavior on the sideline during the game.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Be sure to cover your head and neck with your arms, and crawl under a sturdy table if possible.
    CA Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2025
  • The shearling is still fluffy, and the soles are sturdy.
    Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • The incident comes amid growing scrutiny of the aggressive tactics used by Border Patrol and ICE, including against US citizens.
    Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025
  • The Chiefs were again aggressive on fourth down — and successful at stopping them, too.
    Scott Chasen, Kansas City Star, 2 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Smith said Thursday in a news release that Stubblefield leaves behind a legacy of strong, principled leadership.
    Ella McCarthy, Arkansas Online, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Toklas went on to fiercely uphold the author’s legacy, honoring Stein’s apparent desire to be understood while at the same time respecting her equally strong wish to remain elusive.
    Daphne Merkin, The Atlantic, 31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Red Seat Ventures, which acts as Tubi Media Group’s in-house creator services company, has a robust business around true crime, with podcasts from Chris Hansen (of To Catch a Predator fame) and Nancy Grace among its clients.
    Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 30 Oct. 2025
  • Concerns have also been raised about the safety and responsibility of keeping parks open without having a robust number of employees available to conduct critical services.
    The NPR Network, NPR, 30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • When temperatures drop well below 0, less cold-hardy azaleas could be killed back to the ground.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 30 Oct. 2025
  • The storm hardy island could feel some of the storm’s outer bands, and officials have issued a hurricane warning for the island.
    Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Even the climax of the film, when Bella confronts Edward about his vampire identity in the misty Washington forest, loses its dramatic edge thanks to Edward's emphatic rebuke of his predatory nature.
    Edward Segarra, USA Today, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Lamar Jackson made an emphatic return to NFL action on Thursday Night Football, throwing four touchdown passes to lead his Baltimore Ravens to a 28-6 win over the Miami Dolphins.
    Ben Morse, CNN Money, 31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Scott Parker’s team possess all of the qualities that Vincent Kompany’s side lacked — a solid defensive foundation, togetherness, fighting spirit, and valuable top-flight experience led by example from defender Kyle Walker and goalkeeper Martin Dubravka.
    Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Certain closet staples are well worth investing in, but finding comparable styles at a more affordable price point can make building a solid seasonal wardrobe more realistic.
    Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Vigorous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vigorous. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.

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