Synonyms of vigorous

vigorous

adjective

ˈvi-g(ə-)rəs 

1

as in energetic

having active strength of body or mind

he remains healthy and vigorous despite being over 80 years old

Synonyms & Similar Words

• energetic
• robust
• dynamic
• lively
• powerful
• strong
• healthy
• lusty
• vital
• spirited
• tough
• capable
• athletic
• peppy
• mighty
• brisk
• red-blooded
• hale
• muscular
• flush
• vivacious
• sprightly
• sturdy
• fit
• kinetic
• animated
• hardy
• gingery
• energized
• virile
• rugged
• stout
• vitalized
• competent
• punchy
• invigorated
• sound
• rejuvenated
• dashing
• beefy
• burly
• fortified
• enlivened
• stalwart
• firm
• refreshed
• brawny
• husky
• hearty
• mettlesome
• puissant
• robustious
• revitalized
• strapping
• able-bodied

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• sluggish
• feeble
• weak
• dull
• faint
• lethargic
• listless
• torpid
• delicate
• frail
• weakened
• infirm
• tired
• effete
• impotent
• wan
• soft
• powerless
• languid
• lazy
• indolent
• prostrate
• lackadaisical
• enervated
• ill
• wimpy
• unhealthy
• nerveless
• unsound
• spineless
• invertebrate
• sapped
• disabled
• unwell
• prostrated
• wasted
• debilitated
• decrepit
• broken-down
• worn-out

2

as in sturdy

able to withstand hardship, strain, or exposure

vigorous and sturdy little sheep bred to live in mountainous regions

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sturdy
• strong
• hardy
• tough
• stout
• rugged
• hardened
• robust
• durable
• healthy
• cast-iron
• hard
• staunch
• toughened
• hard-bitten
• permanent
• thriving
• resilient
• inured
• stable
• tenacious
• lasting
• enduring
• muscular
• stalwart
• unyielding
• virile
• leathery
• immortal
• flinty
• flourishing
• everlasting
• staying
• lusty
• imperishable
• brawny
• prospering
• tempered
• hale
• fortified
• sound
• husky
• seasoned
• able-bodied
• fit
• red-blooded
• strapping
• annealed

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• weak
• soft
• delicate
• tender
• enfeebled
• weakened
• wasted
• worn
• exhausted
• diseased
• unsound
• emasculated
• sensitive
• fragile
• debilitated
• infirm
• susceptible
• puny
• frail
• incapacitated
• vulnerable
• crippled
• nonhardy
• enervated
• transient
• temporary
• sapped
• yielding
• worn-out
• resistless
• run-down
• mortal
• perishable
• unresistant

3

as in aggressive

marked by or uttered with forcefulness

offered a vigorous dissent to the proposal

Synonyms & Similar Words

• aggressive
• emphatic
• violent
• dynamic
• energetic
• forceful
• strenuous
• vehement
• insistent
• assertive
• muscular
• compelling
• clear
• striking
• pointed
• full-blooded
• resounding
• marked
• decided
• conspicuous
• noticeable
• unequivocal
• unambiguous
• categorical
• plain
• absolute
• impelling
• arresting

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• mild
• weak
• unemphatic
• nonassertive
• ambiguous
• guarded
• hesitant
• equivocal
• nonemphatic
• understated
• wishy-washy
• uncompelling
• halting

4

as in strong

not showing weakness or uncertainty

gave the bottle of sauce a vigorous shaking

Synonyms & Similar Words

• strong
• solid
• sturdy
• firm
• robust
• powerful
• forceful
• lusty
• tough
• stout
• iron
• hearty
• mighty
• brisk
• lively
• hard
• energetic
• spirited
• unyielding
• vivacious
• sprightly
• perky
• ironclad
• frisky
• confident
• animated
• springy
• vital
• peppy
• jaunty
• jazzy
• certain
• secure
• sanguine
• sure
• zippy
• assured
• sprightful

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• weak
• uncertain
• feeble
• fragile
• frail
• listless
• limp
• spiritless
• diffident
• insecure
• wimpy
• weakened
• spineless
• effete
• characterless
• self-doubting
• weak-kneed
• wishy-washy

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

Recent Examples of vigorous

For adults to keep the heart in top shape, the AHA recommends a minimum of 150 minutes (that’s two and a half hours) of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week or 75 minutes per week of vigorous aerobic activity. —Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 1 June 2026

The American Heart Association recommends at least 150 minutes per week of moderate exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous activity. —Ezekiel J. Emanuel, CNBC, 29 May 2026

Federal guidance from the CDC for adults 65+ is at least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity, or an equivalent combination, plus at least 2 days of strength training. —Panashe Matemba-Mutasa, Mercury News, 27 May 2026

And so the neo-Brandeisians have accordingly begun a vigorous effort to persuade Democratic elites to commit to rerunning the Biden agenda and strategy, but more loudly and with a younger candidate. —Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 26 May 2026