1
as in strict
given to exacting standards of discipline and self-restraint
a rigorous football coach who pushes his players to their physical and mental limits
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in accurate
meeting the highest standard of accuracy
a rigorous analysis of the data
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3
as in stringent
not allowing for any exceptions or loosening of standards
a rigorous diet and exercise regimen
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4
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort
studied for umpteen months for the rigorous exam
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rigorous
Hope is something more rigorous than that.
—
Sharon McMahon, Glamour, 25 Mar. 2026
But even this private market existed mostly with benign neglect from the state, not through the rigorous enforcement of property rights and contracts, as under capitalism.
—Literary Hub, 25 Mar. 2026
As president of the NEA from 2002 through 2008, Weaver led the union’s efforts to try to secure reforms to President George W. Bush’s No Child Left Behind Act, arguing its rigorous emphasis on testing forced teachers to bypass individual student needs.
—Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026
The charter’s rapid improvement comes from an intense focus on test scores and a rigorous learning model that Miles has since implemented in Houston ISD.
—Noah Alcala Bach, San Antonio Express-News, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rigorous
Sharon McMahon, Glamour, 25 Mar. 2026
But even this private market existed mostly with benign neglect from the state, not through the rigorous enforcement of property rights and contracts, as under capitalism.
—Literary Hub, 25 Mar. 2026
As president of the NEA from 2002 through 2008, Weaver led the union’s efforts to try to secure reforms to President George W. Bush’s No Child Left Behind Act, arguing its rigorous emphasis on testing forced teachers to bypass individual student needs.
—Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026
The charter’s rapid improvement comes from an intense focus on test scores and a rigorous learning model that Miles has since implemented in Houston ISD.
—Noah Alcala Bach, San Antonio Express-News, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rigorous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rigorous
Adjective
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In response, rental companies are implementing stricter cleaning standards, higher security deposits, and more surveillance.—
Christopher Elliott,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
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Still, the driver's age is raising broader policy questions, as some residents are calling for stricter testing requirements for older drivers, including more frequent vision and driving evaluations.—
Kenny Choi,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Prices were accurate at the time of publication but may change.—
Cody Godwin,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
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Hedrick also won a Fiesta Bowl, in 2014, and was hailed as one of the most accurate passers in the nation.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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But many states have more stringent rules, and regulations vary widely.—
Sarah Raza,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
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The process of more stringent measurements actually began last year, since ABS was utilized in spring training, so the changes in players’ height has been a process that’s played out both last and this spring.—
Sam Blum,
New York Times,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Christie acknowledged that the Kings were in a difficult position given their recent schedule injury situation.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
30 Mar. 2026
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Even putting the tank on the ice was more difficult this year.—
Spencer Wilson,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The judge assigned to Amin’s case was Iman Afshari, known in Tehran for his tough sentences—a reputation that led the European Union to place him on a blacklist, in January, for human-rights abuses.—
Cora Engelbrecht,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2026
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Two sisters in Big Bear are facing one of the toughest moments in their lives.—
Zach Boetto,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Courts, attorneys and institutions need clinicians who can translate behavioral health histories into something more precise than a diagnosis and more useful than a stereotype.—
Sonia Singh,
Rolling Stone,
2 Apr. 2026
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For the Orion module, this push is a lot more precise and requires propulsion from the module's main engine to send the astronauts on their way to the far side of the moon.—
Briana Alvarado,
ABC News,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Orkin bed bug control Bed bug treatment is challenging, but something that Orkin excels at.—
Alora Bopray,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
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Turning your attention inward can feel challenging.—
J. David Creswell,
The Conversation,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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His team, which includes his advisor Atsushi Shirane and Masaya Miyahara of Japan’s High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK), is aiming to develop a wireless system for controlling robots in this harsh environment.—
Katherine Bourzac,
IEEE Spectrum,
2 Apr. 2026
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Items that are wind-resistant and waterproof will be good for use in many harsh weather conditions in which the user would need protection.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rigorous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rigorous. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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