strenuous
Americanadjective
-
characterized by vigorous exertion, as action, efforts, life, etc..
a strenuous afternoon of hunting.
-
demanding or requiring vigorous exertion; laborious.
To think deeply is a strenuous task.
- Antonyms:
- easy
-
vigorous, energetic, or zealously active.
a strenuous person; a strenuous intellect.
- Synonyms:
- forceful
adjective
-
requiring or involving the use of great energy or effort
-
characterized by great activity, effort, or endeavour
Related Words
See active.
Other Word Forms
- quasi-strenuous adjective
- quasi-strenuously adverb
- strenuosity noun
- strenuously adverb
- strenuousness noun
- superstrenuous adjective
- superstrenuously adverb
- superstrenuousness noun
- unstrenuous adjective
- unstrenuously adverb
- unstrenuousness noun
Etymology
Origin of strenuous
1590–1600; < Latin strēnuus; -ous
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Castro was freed in late November after strenuous diplomatic efforts by France and flown home to Paris, where his mother had been frantically awaiting news of his fate.
From Barron's • Feb. 6, 2026
He tried to "cut down strenuous exercise" while continuing to work and go for walks but took long-term sick leave in August 2024.
From BBC • Feb. 1, 2026
Relations appeared to thaw last summer following strenuous European efforts to persuade Trump that allies are useful for U.S. interests and not a hindrance.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 18, 2026
The tram offers hikers who don’t feel like taking the strenuous Cactus to Clouds route: From the tram’s Mountain Station, you can hike 10 miles out and back, which shaves off about 10 arduous miles.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 11, 2025
Over the Humbug’s strenuous objections, Milo and Tock decided to swim, and, protesting loudly, the bug was dragged along with them toward the sea.
From "The Phantom Tollbooth" by Norton Juster
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
