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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
After rigorous testing, these eight items have consistently topped our editors' lists.
—
Jamie Hergenrader, Travel + Leisure, 15 July 2025
All will undergo a rigorous performance evaluation in our simulator room, being trained and tested to the exact same standards used by the FAA Academy.
—Sharon Devivo, New York Daily News, 15 July 2025
The loss of trustworthiness in the rigorous and nonpartisan work of the Task Force would devastate patients, hospital systems, and payers as misinformation creates barriers to accessing lifesaving and cost effective care.
—ArsTechnica, 11 July 2025
Before a potential controller can even step foot in the academy, there’s a rigorous application and qualification process.
—Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for rigorous
Jamie Hergenrader, Travel + Leisure, 15 July 2025
All will undergo a rigorous performance evaluation in our simulator room, being trained and tested to the exact same standards used by the FAA Academy.
—Sharon Devivo, New York Daily News, 15 July 2025
The loss of trustworthiness in the rigorous and nonpartisan work of the Task Force would devastate patients, hospital systems, and payers as misinformation creates barriers to accessing lifesaving and cost effective care.
—ArsTechnica, 11 July 2025
Before a potential controller can even step foot in the academy, there’s a rigorous application and qualification process.
—Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for rigorous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rigorous
Adjective
-
For example, in sales, if a customer wants a certain number of licenses but has a strict budget, an agent can help figure out the best deal by looking at things like license count, budget limits and different contract lengths (like one-, two- or three-year terms).—
Ian Gotts,
Forbes.com,
23 July 2025
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Anna Marson, a former Tuscany regional minister who now teaches urban planning at a university in Venice, was closely involved in putting forward a plan to impose stricter environmental regulations on the region’s marble quarries in 2014.—
Meara Sharma,
The Dial,
22 July 2025
Adjective
-
Call your insurance company and verify that the estimate is accurate to your policy.—
Nicole Villalpando,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
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The analysts' predictions were not entirely accurate, the brand said.—
Liam Rappleye,
Freep.com,
29 July 2025
Adjective
-
Regardless of circumstance, obtaining the most stringent authentication could represent the difference between an item worth hundreds of thousands of dollars and one worth millions.—
Thomas H. Ruggie,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
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Outrage has since grown in the wider student community, which has demanded more stringent action.—
Mithil Aggarwal,
NBC news,
17 July 2025
Adjective
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Some students may face family challenges that affect their ability to get to school, and some changes to the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness test, such as its move to online instead of paper form, could be difficult for students who only access computers at school, Maldonado said.—
Keri Heath,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
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Diseases that are difficult to manage without early intervention, including diabetes, heart disease and cancer, place a significant burden on health care budgets and patient quality of life.—
Kim Praitano,
Sun Sentinel,
29 July 2025
Adjective
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The tougher policy changes are adding to the minors’ trauma, advocates say.—
Nicol León,
AZCentral.com,
22 July 2025
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In fact, child therapists have been using play to help kids work through tough toddler milestones inside their offices for decades, Margolin explains.—
Liz Regalia,
Parents,
21 July 2025
Adjective
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His precise motive in the shooting is still unclear.—
Christina Coulter,
People.com,
29 July 2025
-
For many, this was the film that crystallized Shyamalan’s style as something patient, precise, emotionally sincere, and attuned to the spiritual hidden within the everyday.—
Samantha Bergeson,
IndieWire,
29 July 2025
Adjective
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Besides the challenging business climate in Chicago, President Donald Trump’s tariffs are contributing to rising food costs, and his immigration crackdown threatens to disrupt the food-service workforce.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
21 July 2025
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Points available at the stage’s finish vary based on a coefficient of difficulty: the more challenging the stage, the fewer points available.—
Sophie Kaufman,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
Adjective
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The harsh reality is this: not all cell phone forensic extractions are created equal, and the most important evidence for trucking cases on the smartphone will be gone in days or weeks.—
Lars Daniel,
Forbes.com,
22 July 2025
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Late-night talk shows across the board are facing the harsh reality that declines in ad revenue can’t make up for burgeoning production costs.—
Liam Reilly,
CNN Money,
22 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rigorous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rigorous. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.
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