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Synonyms

strenuous

American  
[stren-yoo-uhs] / ˈstrɛn yu əs /

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 British  
/ ˈstrɛnjʊəs, ˌstrɛnjʊˈɒsɪtɪ /

adjective

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

  2. characterized by great activity, effort, or endeavour

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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

U.S. figure skaters call the clearance process ‘strenuous.’

From Los Angeles Times

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

With just one episode to go, Rachel was finally in the firing line, alongside James, despite strenuous efforts that led him to collapse and vomit during that day's mission.

From BBC

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