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
- austere
- authoritarian
- flinty
- hard
- harsh
- heavy-handed
- ramrod
- rigid
- severe
- stern
- strict
- tough
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
rigorous enforcement of the rules a rigorous course of study We subjected the data to a rigorous analysis.
Recent Examples on the Web Seek out those who don’t blur the lines between objective and subjective coverage of a topic, and are instead rigorous about distinguishing the two. 
Jules Terpak, Washington Post, 14 Sep. 2022 Details of how police and tech companies work together, and how rigorous the courts are before issuing warrants, remain scant. Ramon Padilla, USA Today, 8 Sep. 2022 Mackey has previously stated the new test is more rigorous than the previous one, which accounts for the difference in math scores. al, 8 Sep. 2022 Hong Kong’s educational and academic programs are also very rigorous, and children face a lot of pressure. Marc Karimzadeh, Town & Country, 31 Aug. 2022 Jeffrey Kloha, the Museum of the Bible’s chief curatorial officer, tells the Times that the institution is now much more rigorous in its methods of acquisition. Brigit Katz, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Aug. 2022 Further, stop allowing an easy reset of credentials when MFA is not working—the recovery and bypass process must instead be rigorous. Stu Sjouwerman, Forbes, 11 Aug. 2022 In addition, standards are more rigorous for children. Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 21 July 2022 Twitter, which filed its lawsuit last week, says its process for estimating fake accounts and malicious bots is rigorous. Dave Michaels, WSJ, 19 July 2022 See More
Jules Terpak, Washington Post, 14 Sep. 2022 Details of how police and tech companies work together, and how rigorous the courts are before issuing warrants, remain scant. Ramon Padilla, USA Today, 8 Sep. 2022 Mackey has previously stated the new test is more rigorous than the previous one, which accounts for the difference in math scores. al, 8 Sep. 2022 Hong Kong’s educational and academic programs are also very rigorous, and children face a lot of pressure. Marc Karimzadeh, Town & Country, 31 Aug. 2022 Jeffrey Kloha, the Museum of the Bible’s chief curatorial officer, tells the Times that the institution is now much more rigorous in its methods of acquisition. Brigit Katz, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Aug. 2022 Further, stop allowing an easy reset of credentials when MFA is not working—the recovery and bypass process must instead be rigorous. Stu Sjouwerman, Forbes, 11 Aug. 2022 In addition, standards are more rigorous for children. Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 21 July 2022 Twitter, which filed its lawsuit last week, says its process for estimating fake accounts and malicious bots is rigorous. Dave Michaels, WSJ, 19 July 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
rigorous
adjective
rig·or·ous ˈri-gə-rəs
1
: very strict
rigorous rules
2
: hard to endure because of extreme conditions : harsh
rigorous winters
rigorous
adjective
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 Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- strict
- tough
- harsh
- rigid
- authoritarian
- stern
- relentless
- hard
- severe
- merciless
- hardened
- austere
- relentless
- demanding
- gruff
- steadfast
- exacting
- flinty
- heavy-handed
- ramrod
- uncompromising
- unrelenting
- determined
- adamant
- pitiless
- unforgiving
- unsparing
- ascetic
- unyielding
- unbending
- inflexible
- stiff
- bullying
- unflinching
- implacable
- uncharitable
- callous
- dour
- adamantine
- monastic
- monkish
- dogged
- ascetical
- immovable
- hard-line
- browbeating
- ossified
- firm
- intractable
- obstinate
- resolved
- single-minded
- hard-hearted
- rock-ribbed
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- gentle
- lax
- easy
- lenient
- indulgent
- mild
- tolerant
- kind
- easygoing
- undemanding
- soft
- charitable
- forbearing
- merciful
- clement
- patient
- flexible
- accepting
- responsive
- compromising
- laid-back
- amenable
- compliant
- agreeable
- willing
- yielding
- softhearted
- pliable
- complaisant
- pliant
- acquiescent
2
as in accurate
meeting the highest standard of accuracy a rigorous analysis of the data Synonyms & Similar Words
- accurate
- precise
- mathematical
- careful
- fine
- strict
- close
- exact
- refined
- correct
- delicate
- pinpoint
- spot-on
- meticulous
- definitive
- hairline
- definite
- subtle
- true
- right
- fastidious
- nice
- finicky
- finical
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- rough
- coarse
- inaccurate
- round
- false
- imprecise
- approximate
- wrong
- inexact
- vague
- loose
- incorrect
- careless
- questionable
- dubious
- doubtful
- indefinite
- unreliable
- untrue
- unclear
- untrustworthy
3
as in stringent
not allowing for any exceptions or loosening of standards a rigorous diet and exercise regimen Synonyms & Similar Words
- strict
- stringent
- exacting
- rigid
- uncompromising
- meticulous
- steadfast
- conscientious
- inflexible
- painstaking
- adamant
- scrupulous
- relentless
- brassbound
- hard-line
- unflinching
- punctilious
- tough
- determined
- tenacious
- stubborn
- cast-iron
- undeviating
- exact
- unbending
- unrelenting
- close
- harsh
- dogged
- unsparing
- demanding
- fussy
- severe
- unyielding
- stern
- resolved
- implacable
- adamantine
- firm
- austere
- single-minded
- hardened
- grim
- hard
- immovable
- flinty
- unappeasable
- ironbound
- hard-hearted
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- flexible
- lax
- relaxed
- loose
- compliant
- gentle
- easy
- mild
- slack
- pliable
- lenient
- soft
- indulgent
- pliant
- easygoing
- acquiescent
- yielding
- tolerant
- merciful
- sloppy
- compromising
- negligent
- slipshod
- kindly
- slovenly
- neglectful
- relenting
- remiss
- unfussy
- pampering
- spoiling
4
as in challenging
requiring considerable physical or mental effort studied for umpteen months for the rigorous exam Synonyms & Similar Words
- challenging
- difficult
- tough
- demanding
- formidable
- hard
- testing
- complicated
- heavy
- strenuous
- arduous
- rugged
- exacting
- rough
- grueling
- effortful
- laborious
- severe
- exhausting
- intricate
- sweaty
- herculean
- backbreaking
- complex
- gruelling
- painful
- tall
- murderous
- toilsome
- serious
- uphill
- stiff
- killer
- strict
- stringent
- involved
- hellacious
- problematic
- brutal
- abstract
- elusive
- moiling
- annoying
- pick-and-shovel
- onerous
- stressful
- stubborn
- oppressive
- grim
- tight
- abstruse
- tricky
- burdensome
- trying
- taxing
- recondite
- opaque
- Augean
- bruising
- thorny
- problematical
- troublesome
- labored
- irksome
- insoluble
- knotty
- vexatious
- bothersome
- hairy
- cruel
- ticklish
- spiny
- distressing
- inhuman
- grievous
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- simple
- easy
- soft
- effortless
- undemanding
- light
- clear
- gentle
- facile
- mindless
- elementary
- achievable
- uncomplicated
- cheap
- doable
- smooth
- relaxed
- manageable
- soothing
- friendly
- comforting
- accessible
- painless
- user-friendly
- idiotproof
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of rigorous are rigid, strict, and stringent. While all these words mean "extremely severe or stern," rigorous implies the imposition of hardship and difficulty.
the rigorous training of recruits
While in some cases nearly identical to rigorous, rigid implies uncompromising inflexibility.
rigid rules of conduct
Although the words strict and rigorous have much in common, strict emphasizes undeviating conformity to rules, standards, or requirements.
strict enforcement of the law
The synonyms stringent and rigorous are sometimes interchangeable, but stringent suggests severe, tight restriction or limitation.
stringent standards of admission
- symmetricest
- symmetries
- symmetrisation
- symmetrisations
- symmetrise
- symmetrised
- symmetrises
- symmetrising
- symmetrization
- symmetrizations
- symmetrize
- symmetrized
- symmetrizes
- symmetrizing
- symmetrophobia
- symmetry
- symminct
- Symonds
- Symons
- sympath-
- sympathectomies
- sympathectomize
- sympathectomized
- sympathectomy
- sympathetic