strenuous

adjective

stren·​u·​ous ˈstren-yə-wəs How to pronounce strenuous (audio)
1
a
: vigorously active : energetic
b
: fervent, zealous
his most strenuous supporters
2
: marked by or calling for energy or stamina : arduous
a strenuous hike
strenuosity noun
strenuously adverb
strenuousness noun
Choose the Right Synonym for strenuous

vigorous, energetic, strenuous, lusty, nervous 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

energetic suggests a capacity for intense activity.

an energetic campaigner

strenuous suggests a preference for coping with the arduous or the challenging.

the strenuous life on an oil rig

lusty implies exuberant energy and capacity for enjoyment.

a lusty appetite for life

nervous suggests especially the forcibleness and sustained effectiveness resulting from mental vigor.

full of nervous energy

Examples of strenuous in a Sentence

Avoid all strenuous exercise until the sprain heals. Today has been a very strenuous day. The proposal has faced strenuous opposition.
Recent Examples on the Web This helps regulate your core body temperature during transitions and strenuous activity. Outside Online, 23 Oct. 2024 They are possibly trapped in their own queerness and desires, as they are forced to work in some of the most strenuous labor that colonialism has inflicted. Damaly Gonzalez, ARTnews.com, 26 Sep. 2024 Yes, swirling powder into liquid is less strenuous than massaging kale. Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 6 Oct. 2024 Although these differences can be addressed with local expertise, there are still many struggles with administrative and regulatory processes prior to trial activation that can make the process strenuous and protracted. Avik Pal, Forbes, 24 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for strenuous 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'strenuous.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin strenuus

First Known Use

1599, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of strenuous was in 1599

Dictionary Entries Near strenuous

Cite this Entry

“Strenuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/strenuous. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

strenuous

adjective
stren·​u·​ous ˈstren-yə-wəs How to pronounce strenuous (audio)
1
a
: very active : energetic
leads a strenuous life
b
: fervent, zealous
strenuous protest
2
: showing or requiring great energy
strenuous tasks
strenuously adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on strenuous

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