1
2

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective strenuous contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of strenuous are energetic, lusty, nervous, and vigorous. While all these words mean "having or showing great vitality and force," strenuous suggests a preference for coping with the arduous or the challenging.

the strenuous life on an oil rig

When is energetic a more appropriate choice than strenuous?

The words energetic and strenuous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, energetic suggests a capacity for intense activity.

an energetic campaigner

In what contexts can lusty take the place of strenuous?

Although the words lusty and strenuous have much in common, lusty implies exuberant energy and capacity for enjoyment.

a lusty appetite for life

When could nervous be used to replace strenuous?

While in some cases nearly identical to strenuous, nervous suggests especially the forcibleness and sustained effectiveness resulting from mental vigor.

full of nervous energy

When might vigorous be a better fit than strenuous?

The meanings of vigorous and strenuous largely overlap; however, vigorous further implies showing no signs of depletion or diminishing of freshness or robustness.

as vigorous as a youth half his age

Examples 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 strenuous The annual appointment kicks off Francis' busy Christmas schedule, this year made even more strenuous because of the start of the Vatican's Holy Year on Christmas Eve. CBS News, 21 Dec. 2024 The combination of strenuous physical exercise and cold weather could trigger a heart attack. Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 31 Dec. 2024 According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, it is recommended not to perform strenuous activity or heavy lifting for at least one month after a prostatectomy. David Faris, Newsweek, 29 Dec. 2024 However, some people, such as people who are critically injured, pregnant, or participating in strenuous exercise, may require supplemental L-glutamine to meet their daily needs. Jillian Kubala, Health, 25 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for strenuous 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strenuous
Adjective
  • Simmer chili: Bring to a vigorous simmer over high.
    Elizabeth Mervosh, Southern Living, 11 Jan. 2025
  • Stay inside as much as possible and avoid vigorous physical activity when outdoors.
    Claire Bugos, Verywell Health, 10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Simplifying Complexity Through Narratives Leaders often need to communicate complex strategies or concepts, which can be difficult for teams to fully grasp.
    Paola Cecchi-Dimeglio, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025
  • Officials have also warned the algorithm that fuels what users see on the app is vulnerable to manipulation by Chinese authorities, who can use it to shape content on the platform in a way that's difficult to detect.
    MARK SHERMAN THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, arkansasonline.com, 18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Take London, which was a clear hotspot (and will continue to be, for some time): Mandarin Oriental opened its second spot in the capital, barely minutes in a limo from its existing Knightsbridge perch, while Maybourne’s soon-to-be aggressive expansion was teed up by the arrival of the sleek Emory.
    Christopher Cameron, Robb Report, 11 Jan. 2025
  • Many tech companies built their AI products by training on creative works directly scraped from the Internet, using legal loopholes and aggressive policies to help themselves to data without seeking permission from creators or copyright holders.
    Rob Salkowitz, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Finding a way to relax and take your mind off football can be challenging, but Colwill uses Lego to unwind.
    The Athletic UK Staff, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025
  • That realization reinforced for me the importance of breaking stereotypes about introverts and challenging misconceptions.
    Kendra MacDonald, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Ryan’s violent reaction to this scare sets off a chain of events and unearths secrets from the past.
    Zac Ntim, Deadline, 16 Jan. 2025
  • Follow more of our reporting on Deadly Dose Crime One Kansas police force’s approach to fighting fentanyl is driving down violent crime November 30, 2023 6:10 AM Government & Politics Missouri lawmakers push new charges for fentanyl dealers.
    Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The Kings hadn’t played since their double-overtime win over the Miami Heat on Monday, leaving three days between games, which likely would have meant at least one rigorous practice with Brown at the helm.
    Chris Biderman, Sacramento Bee, 11 Jan. 2025
  • Truth, in this sense, is sought and rendered, something produced by rigorous inquiry and informed consideration rather than something discovered.
    Fergus McIntosh, The New Yorker, 11 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • After years of electric vehicles dominating the overall new car buzz (if not sales), hybrids made a strong, emphatic comeback in 2024.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 16 Jan. 2025
  • For three straight weeks, the Chargers have shared emphatic high fives in their celebratory post-game locker room.
    Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The Bengals are going to have a tough time bringing the free agent back at just age 26 and after coming off his finest season yet.
    Brandon Funston, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025
  • Households are currently seeing significant reductions in their monthly electricity usage, resulting in cost savings—a big relief, especially in tough economic times.
    Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 10 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near strenuous

Cite this Entry

“Strenuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strenuous. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on strenuous

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!