strenuous

adjective

stren·​u·​ous ˈstren-yə-wəs 

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

ˌstren-yə-ˈwä-sə-tē 

noun

strenuously

ˈstren-yə-wəs-lē 

adverb

strenuousness noun

Synonyms

• aggressive
• assertive
• dynamic
• emphatic
• energetic
• forceful
• full-blooded
• muscular
• resounding
• vehement
• vigorous
• violent

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

Such strenuous work was forced by the absence of Toby Fournier, Duke’s star freshman, who was ruled out with an illness. —Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025

But some day we will be compelled to take time to recuperate for the strenuous life. —The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 26 Mar. 2025

Some of these turns are pretty strenuous, working best when kept brief. —Dennis Harvey, Variety, 4 Mar. 2025

Since the start of March, Florida knocked off Alabama (twice), Tennessee, Texas A&M, Missouri and Ole Miss — mimicking the type of strenuous six-game stretch that Florida could face in the NCAA Tournament. —Scott Phillips, The Athletic, 17 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin strenuus

First Known Use

1599, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for strenuous

• disingenuous
• ingenuous

Kids Definition

strenuous

adjective

stren·​u·​ous ˈstren-yə-wəs 

1

a

: very active : energetic

leads a strenuous life

b

: fervent, zealous

strenuous protest

2

: showing or requiring great energy

strenuous tasks

strenuously adverb