strenuous

[stren-yoo-uhs]

adjective

1. characterized by vigorous exertion, as action, efforts, life, etc..

   a strenuous afternoon of hunting.

2. demanding or requiring vigorous exertion; laborious.

   To think deeply is a strenuous task.

   Antonyms: easy

3. vigorous, energetic, or zealously active.

   a strenuous person; a strenuous intellect.

   Synonyms: forceful

strenuous

/ ˈstrɛnjʊəs, ˌstrɛnjʊˈɒsɪtɪ /

adjective

1. requiring or involving the use of great energy or effort

2. characterized by great activity, effort, or endeavour

Other Word Forms

• strenuously adverb
• strenuousness noun
• strenuosity noun
• quasi-strenuous adjective
• quasi-strenuously adverb
• superstrenuous adjective
• superstrenuously adverb
• superstrenuousness noun
• unstrenuous adjective
• unstrenuously adverb
• unstrenuousness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of strenuous¹

1590–1600; < Latin strēnuus; -ous

Word History and Origins

Origin of strenuous¹

C16: from Latin strēnuus brisk, vigorous

Synonym Study

See active.

Example Sentences

Milk, because bird-watching outdoors was bound to be hot and strenuous work, and the children would soon be thirsty.

Read more on Literature

Over the strenuous objection of Thomas and Justice Samuel Alito, she was denied.

Read more on Salon

Despite strenuous efforts to turn reality on its head, including through bogus international lawfare, many saw the truth—innocent people being held hostage by a genocidal terrorist organization committed to murdering Jews.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Disability adjudicators use a series of grids that consider an applicant’s age, work experience and education level to determine whether they may have the skills to do another, less strenuous job.

Read more on Salon

While it is “more physically strenuous” to handle both roles, he conceded, he countered that “I don’t know if there’s a direct correlation.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• arduous 
• demanding 
• exhausting 
• laborious 
• taxing 
• uphill