rigorous

adjective

rig·​or·​ous ˈri-g(ə-)rəs 

1

: manifesting, exercising, or favoring rigor : very strict

2

a

: marked by extremes of temperature or climate

b

: harsh, severe

3

: scrupulously accurate : precise

rigorously adverb

rigorousness noun

Synonyms

• austere
• authoritarian
• flinty
• hard
• harsh
• heavy-handed
• ramrod
• rigid
• severe
• stern
• strict
• tough

Choose the Right Synonym for rigorous

rigid, rigorous, strict, stringent mean extremely severe or stern.

rigid implies uncompromising inflexibility.

rigid rules of conduct

rigorous implies the imposition of hardship and difficulty.

the rigorous training of recruits

strict emphasizes undeviating conformity to rules, standards, or requirements.

strict enforcement of the law

stringent suggests severe, tight restriction or limitation.

stringent standards of admission

Examples of rigorous in a Sentence

rigorous enforcement of the rules

a rigorous course of study

We subjected the data to a rigorous analysis.

Recent Examples on the Web

Yet a Brown University study found that students who took courses from professors with more rigorous grading standards learned more. —Karin Klein, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024

And the Bruins played a rigorous out-of-state schedule to prepare for another run. —Matt Schubert, The Denver Post, 6 Nov. 2024

Julie Range, a policy manager for Commission Shift, an oil and gas watchdog group, commended the commission's request and called for a more rigorous review process for injection wells that contribute to underground pressure and exacerbate well failures. —David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024

Every insurance article is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of insurance products. —Liz Knueven, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

rigorous

adjective

rig·​or·​ous ˈrig-(ə-)rəs 

1

: very strict

2

: marked by great differences of temperature or climate

3

: very accurate

rigorously adverb

rigorousness noun