VIGOROUS Synonyms: 207 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

vigorous

adjective

ˈvi-g(ə-)rəs

Definition of vigorous

as in energetic

having active strength of body or mind he remains healthy and vigorous despite being over 80 years old

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in sturdy

able to withstand hardship, strain, or exposure vigorous and sturdy little sheep bred to live in mountainous regions

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as in aggressive

marked by or uttered with forcefulness offered a vigorous dissent to the proposal

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in strong

not showing weakness or uncertainty gave the bottle of sauce a vigorous shaking

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Bring to a vigorous simmer over medium-high, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until flavors meld and sauce thickens slightly to leave a thin coating on the back of a spoon, 10 to 12 minutes. — Jasmine Smith, Southern Living, 4 July 2026 Researchers also found that breaking up blocks of being sedentary with movement can reduce the risk — and vigorous exercise isn’t required. — Adam England, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026 Dunlap notes that borage can grow to about 2 to 3 feet tall and wide, while tomatoes are known for their vigorous growth. — Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 30 June 2026 Levine Cava gave the golden-colored dog a vigorous pat on the head. — Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 27 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for vigorous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for vigorous

Adjective

Work with Your Design Style A color this bright and energetic couldn’t possibly be versatile, too, right?

— Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 July 2026
Brazil were energetic and vertical, Vinicius Junior and Rayan stretched their opponents and Gabriel Martinelli’s stoppage-time winner was just reward.

— Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 4 July 2026

Definition of energetic

Adjective

Beyond California, scientists are raising alarms over the planet’s warming oceans, which — coupled with a strong El Niño — could increase temperatures for land dwellers in the coming weeks.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Weather aside, Fall/Winter 2026 Haute Couture Week, running from July 6 to 9, will feature shows from 30 houses, compared with FW25’s 27-strong line-up.

— Laure Guilbault, Vogue, 6 July 2026

Definition of strong

Adjective

However, that is changing as the US Department of Defense seeks more robust, less vulnerable power systems for military satellites that are less hazardous than the older spacecraft powered by uranium and plutonium.

— David Szondy July 07, New Atlas, 8 July 2026
Germany, with its robust manufacturing economy, ramped up its defense spending with a clear path to reaching the 5% target.

— David Goldman, CNN Money, 8 July 2026

Definition of robust

Adjective

How to Protect Yourself Against Cyclosporiasis The CDC says that the Cyclospora parasite is particularly hardy, so routine rinsing or washing of produce is unlikely to kill it.

— Jane Yoon Scott, EverydayHealth.com, 7 July 2026
For novice growers, Barthel likes to emphasize that cannabis is hardy and fast-growing like a weed.

— Martha Ross, Mercury News, 6 July 2026

Definition of hardy

Adjective

Switzerland topped Group B ahead of co-host Canada after beating Les Rouges 2-1 in its final group game, which came after an emphatic 4-1 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina and a 1-1 draw against Qatar in its opener.

— Ben Church, CNN Money, 7 July 2026
Mbappe broke the deadlock in the 45th minute, and Olise got two delightful assists with through balls for Mbappe and Barcola to finish in an emphatic second-half display.

— Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 7 July 2026

Definition of emphatic

Adjective

Goldin, who appeared in 11 Heat games as a rookie, was very solid on Friday, blocking a shot by Maliq Brown and then blocking a shot on an alley oop.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 4 July 2026
Additionally, Thursday morning’s mission was the last to use the Atlas V’s most powerful configuration with five strap-on solid rocket boosters.

— Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 3 July 2026

Definition of solid

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“Vigorous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vigorous. Accessed 11 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of vigorous

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