strenuous

1 of 2

adjective

stren·​u·​ous ˈstren-yə-wəs How to pronounce strenuous (audio)
Synonyms of strenuous
1
a
: vigorously active : energetic
Avoid strenuous exercise until the sprain heals.
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 How to pronounce strenuous (audio)
noun
strenuously
ˈstren-yə-wəs-lē How to pronounce strenuous (audio)
adverb
strenuousness noun

strenuosity

2 of 2

noun

stren·​u·​os·​i·​ty ˌstrenyəˈwäsətē How to pronounce strenuosity (audio)
-sətē, 
-i
variants or less commonly strenuity
streˈnyüə-
plural -es
: the quality or state of being strenuous

Synonyms of strenuous

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Adjective

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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

Adjective 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
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.
Adjective
Peggy Cawthon, a doctor who studies falls among older adults at California Pacific Medical Center, said younger seniors — those between 65 and 75 — are more likely to fall while exercising or doing strenuous household chores. — Panashe Matemba-Mutasa, Mercury News, 13 July 2026 Sports drinks are useful only for long, strenuous activity and should otherwise be limited due to high sugar. — Emmanuella Ogbonna, Health, 8 July 2026 In the study of Whoop users, while the average response to strenuous evening exercise was a worse night of sleep, individual outcomes varied. — Jennifer Heimlich, Time, 7 July 2026 In a moment of fun, Williams flexed his muscles for a photo snapped by Meir during the strenuous spacewalk. — Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 7 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for strenuous

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin strenuus

Noun

strenuosity from strenuous + -ity; strenuity from Middle English strenuite, from Latin strenuitat-, strenuitas, from strenuus strenuous + -itat-, -itas -ity

First Known Use

Adjective

1599, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of strenuous was in 1599

Rhymes for strenuous

See All Rhymes for strenuous

Browse Nearby Words

strenuosity
strenuous
strenuously
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Strenuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/strenuous. Accessed 15 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

strenuous

adjective
stren·​u·​ous ˈstren-yə-wəs How to pronounce strenuous (audio)
1
a
: very active : energetic
leads a strenuous life
b
: fervent, zealous
strenuous protest
2
: showing or requiring great energy
strenuous tasks
strenuously adverb

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