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

• strict
• tough
• harsh
• authoritarian
• rigid
• stern

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

Students must fall below an income cap and meet Vanderbilt's rigorous admissions standards to get in. —The Tennessean, 28 Aug. 2025

There are any number of predictable ways this scenario might have developed but the film is rigorous in its rejection of clichés or simple fixes. —David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2025

The classes were larger, the work less rigorous, the students more worldly. —Richard Siken august 26, Literary Hub, 26 Aug. 2025

However, when organizations follow a rigorous approach and embed communication throughout the journey, that success rate doubles to 58%. —Ruth Fornell, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for rigorous

• vigorous

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