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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 Our commitment includes the vigorous pursuit of both the North Korean actors and those providing them with material support. John Yoo and John Shu, Newsweek, 23 Jan. 2025 The hammam routine involves mixed use of the herbal steam room, dry heat sauna, stimulating Swiss shower, cool mist room, aqua massage vitality pool, and a warm marble belly stone; not to mention a vigorous body scrub followed by a purifying cleanse and 60- or 90-minute massage. Ariel Okin, Vogue, 22 Jan. 2025 But members of the Pakistani diaspora have undertaken a vigorous lobbying campaign in the United States as Mr. Khan’s party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, or P.T.I., has been battered at home by arrests, crackdowns and censorship. Salman Masood, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2025 At a vigorous activity level, talking beyond a few words at a time without running out of breath becomes more challenging. Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 16 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for vigorous 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vigorous
Adjective
  • Whatever the reason, pop the top and embrace this energetic, aromatic, and balanced to the very last drop.
    BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2025
  • While the mood throughout the night was mostly energetic and festive, a few speakers took aim at Trump's policies.
    Axios, Axios, 3 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • This lends a more expensive feel, resulting in a sturdy tablet without being thick or heavy, at 0.3 inch thick and 1.2 pounds.
    Matthew Buzzi, PCMAG, 6 Feb. 2025
  • This sturdy sideboard is equal parts functional and stylish.
    Shea Simmons, People.com, 6 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • President Donald Trump is continuing his outreach to Senate Republicans -- critical to advancing his Cabinet nominees and aggressive agenda.
    Hannah Demissie, ABC News, 4 Feb. 2025
  • An aggressive strain of avian flu is hurting supply and causing prices to rise — with no relief in sight.
    Jordan Valinsky, CNN, 4 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • According to research from Everytown for Gun Safety, a nonprofit that advocates for gun control, strong gun control laws are correlated with fewer gun deaths.
    Elliot Hughes, Journal Sentinel, 13 Jan. 2023
  • This results in a charge imbalance that builds up an electric field strong enough to trigger flashes of lightning.
    National Geographic, National Geographic, 13 Jan. 2023
Adjective
  • The game plan had to change to something more conservative, more repeatable, more robust.
    Jack Pitt-Brooke, The Athletic, 3 Feb. 2025
  • The latest iteration features the same robust build and chuck-about-ability but has been consciously upgraded with phthalate-free, recycled PVC and recycled nylon that’s treated with a non-PFC water-repellent (DWR) finish.
    Parker Hall, WIRED, 2 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • On Earth, organisms living in harsh environments, such as hydrothermal vents in the ocean floor, are called extremophiles, and the experiment could reveal which microorganisms are hardy enough to exist amid the harsh radiation of space.
    Ashley Strickland, CNN, 30 Jan. 2025
  • Anise shrubs that can grow to tree forms are hardy and should not be affected by some of the cold weather that could still be ahead.
    Tom MacCubbin, Orlando Sentinel, 18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Late in a herky-jerky first half, the backup guard’s emphatic drive and dunk helped cut into Penn State’s lead.
    Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 5 Feb. 2025
  • Later, as Billy has an emphatic conversation with Robinson and Sinatra OUT IN THE OPEN, Xavier sees them but can’t hear what’s going on.
    Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 4 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • New Orleans would get an expiring contract in Hardaway Jr. and a solid center in Stewart.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Feb. 2025
  • Emilia Pérez was a solid awards season frontrunner prior to Gascón’s social media controversy, receiving 13 Oscar nominations — the most of any nominee this year — and breaking the Academy’s record for most nominations for a non-English-language-film.
    Abby Monteil, Them, 4 Feb. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near vigorous

Cite this Entry

“Vigorous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vigorous. Accessed 14 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on vigorous

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