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 next

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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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

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 vigorous Snow shoveling is a vigorous activity, one that puts a lot of demand on the body's heart and musculoskeletal system, Bethany Barone Gibbs, an epidemiology and biostatistics professor at West Virginia University and American Heart Association volunteer said in a December interview with USA TODAY. —

Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY, 8 Jan. 2025 Ethics reform advocates say a vigorous commission is crucial in a state where politics and the energy industry are intertwined. —

Jacob Orledge, ProPublica, 6 Jan. 2025 This body balm melts into the skin (no vigorous rubbing needed) and leaves a soft, glistening finish. —

Venus Wong, refinery29.com, 20 Dec. 2024 Many people in this second middle age will be vigorous, healthy, and able to live independently. —

Steve Vernon, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for vigorous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for vigorous

Adjective

The tone of the film also matched Aubrey so much as an artist, and her energetic match was so perfect to me.

Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Jan. 2025
The model of leaning on external policing, rather than paid fact-checking, takes a page from the policies adopted by X under the control of Elon Musk, who bought the platform formerly known as Twitter in 2022 and has since emerged as one of Trump’s most energetic — and influential — supporters.

Mike Lillis, The Hill, 9 Jan. 2025