rigorous

[rig-er-uhs]

adjective

1. characterized by rigor; rigidly severe or harsh, as people, rules, or discipline.

   rigorous laws.

   Synonyms: unyielding, stiff, inflexible, hard, austere, stern
   Antonyms: soft, flexible

2. severely exact or accurate; precise.

   rigorous research.

   Synonyms: finical, demanding
   Antonyms: inaccurate

3. (of weather or climate) uncomfortably severe or harsh; extremely inclement.

   Synonyms: bitter, hard
   Antonyms: mild

4. Logic, Mathematics.,  logically valid.

rigorous

/ ˈrɪɡərəs /

adjective

1. characterized by or proceeding from rigour; harsh, strict, or severe

   rigorous discipline

2. severely accurate; scrupulous

   rigorous book-keeping

3. (esp of weather) extreme or harsh

4. maths logic (of a proof) making the validity of the successive steps completely explicit

Other Word Forms

• rigorously adverb
• rigorousness noun
• overrigorous adjective
• overrigorousness noun
• self-rigorous adjective
• semirigorous adjective
• semirigorousness noun
• unrigorous adjective
• unrigorousness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of rigorous¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Medieval Latin rigōrōsus; rigor, -ous

Synonym Study

See strict.

Example Sentences

"At the same time, it is even more rewarding to be able to explain the results of these complex simulations with a rigorous mathematical treatment -- as we have done in our work."

Read more on Science Daily

Yet this tour sold out four nights in L.A. and is unquestionably the most creative, rigorous and musicianship-driven tour of her career.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The 900-page policy document contained proposals for dramatic reductions in the size of federal government, expanded presidential authority, rigorous immigration enforcement, a nationwide abortion ban and other elements of an ultra-conservative social agenda.

Read more on BBC

The Commons authorities said they do not comment on individual cases, but a "rigorous" process was in place to assess arrangements for MPs.

Read more on BBC

However, the count is usually slow as the numbers are subject to rigorous checks - and so it is possible the death toll could quickly rise further.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• accurate 
• brutal 
• burdensome 
• correct 
• exacting 
• harsh 
• meticulous 
• onerous 
• precise 
• proper 
• rigid 
• scrupulous 
• strict 
• stringent 
• uncompromising 

When To Use

What does rigorous mean?

Rigorous is used to describe things characterized by rigor—strict discipline or severe exactness and precision.Describing an experiment or study as rigorous means it was conducted with extreme precision in order to achieve accuracy.Describing an athletic or academic program as rigorous means it is designed to be challenging and focused on strict discipline.If a teacher is known for being rigorous, it means that they are very strict about things like students completing all of their work and following the rules exactly.Example: The are the result of months of rigorous testing.