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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 Lorna Ventura’s choreography is playful and vigorous, and both Leguizamo and Santiago-Hudson can really move. Sara Holdren, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2025 West said Thursday after the CIF Southern Section Council meeting at The Grand in Long Beach that the CIF-SS office has become more vigorous in examining transfer candidates as the number of transfer applicants continues to grow annually. Steve Fryer, Oc Register, 25 Sep. 2025 Moderate cycling at 10 mph burns close to 600 per hour for a 154-pound person, while intervals, uphill climbs or vigorous pacing can burn even more. Daryl Austin, USA Today, 24 Sep. 2025 What sets Roam by Tauck trips apart from the company’s traditional tours, according to Tauck President Jeremy Palmer, is the structure of the trips, as well as their length, inclusions, and experiences; at least one vigorous group activity is included per itinerary. Nicole Edenedo, AFAR Media, 22 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for vigorous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vigorous
Adjective
  • Alvarado has become Colombia's most energetic proponent of the technique.
    John Otis, NPR, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Patterson is energetic and fun here.
    Andy Hoglund, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Oct. 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, 7 Oct. 2025
  • The lone crack in Yesavage’s sturdy exterior came in the first inning.
    Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The offensive line had five presnap penalties, and allowed four sacks and 11 tackles for loss to an aggressive Lobos defense.
    Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 12 Oct. 2025
  • Not only does the quarterback need to be accurate and aggressive, but the play caller needs to dial up ways to create advantageous one-on-one situations and the receivers have to win those chances.
    Derrik Klassen, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The strong currents from flash floods can pull drivers off roadways.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 11 Oct. 2025
  • Summit kept up the strong play as its defense forced and recovered a fumble from Dallas Simmons.
    Jordan Neal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The American Chemistry Council took issue with the report’s findings on low birth weight and liver issues, arguing that the evidence wasn’t as robust as the report claimed.
    Sharon Lerner, ProPublica, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Although the West has humanoid robotics players such as Boston Dynamics and Tesla, China occupies the industry’s vanguard thanks to its huge market, a mature industrial base of chips, sensors, and batteries, as well as robust state support.
    Charlie Campbell, Time, 9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • So, the minute the leaves start to drop, take it as your sign to tap into the harvest and dress your backyard or porch with stylish pumpkin decor and seasonal window boxes filled with hardy flowers.
    Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Oct. 2025
  • With grief comes diminished critical thinking from even the hardiest of privacy diehards.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Despite the playoff history, though, Thomson ended his diagnosis of the trio’s struggles with an emphatic promise for any opposing teams or those who might be doubting the stars’ potential, even the players themselves.
    Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Sunday’s Aces victory was no doubt emphatic.
    Ben Pickman, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Dunbar’s speed presented problems for Benbrook’s defense, and Slater credited them for a well-rounded, solid performance.
    Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Oct. 2025
  • The back half of the New York Film Festival delivered a secret screening of a solid Academy Award contender, the box office smacked down a Venice Film Festival award winner, and two major contenders in the acting fields up and switched their categories.
    Joe Reid, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Vigorous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vigorous. Accessed 13 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on vigorous

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