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

/ ˌstrɛnjʊˈɒsɪtɪ; ˈstrɛnjʊəs /

adjective

1. requiring or involving the use of great energy or effort
2. characterized by great activity, effort, or endeavour

Derived Forms

• ˈstrenuously, adverb
• strenuosity, noun

Other Words From

• strenu·ous·ly adverb
• strenu·ous·ness stren·u·os·i·ty [stren-yoo-, os, -i-tee], noun
• quasi-strenu·ous adjective
• quasi-strenu·ous·ly adverb
• super·strenu·ous adjective
• super·strenu·ous·ly adverb
• super·strenu·ous·ness noun
• un·strenu·ous adjective
• un·strenu·ous·ly adverb
• un·strenu·ous·ness 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

The National Weather Service has already put out an alert to advise people from doing strenuous activities in the hottest hours of the day and to stay extra hydrated.

From Popular-Science

There’s excellent hiking around Lake Atitlán, too, including a strenuous four-mile jaunt to the summit of Volcán San Pedro, at 9,908 feet.

From Outside Online

This is a more strenuous hike that will test your limits, but you’ll get a good variety of solo hiking as well as some populated areas and campsites, if you’re in need of some emergency socialization.

From Outside Online

Electric mowers are much, much lighter than their gas-guzzling brothers, so a push mower may not be as strenuous to operate as you think.

From Popular-Science

This one is 2 inches taller than most conventional toilets, making it easier and less strenuous to sit and do your business.

From Popular-Science

His body has endured harsh heat and constant strenuous activity.

From The Daily Beast

Endorphins are released during sex, just as they are during a strenuous workout.

From The Daily Beast

But a glitch has the video stuck in permaload mode and my patience is running thin after that strenuous hour of “math”.

From The Daily Beast

Socratic dialogue during strenuous exercise: take that, effete philosophers!

From The Daily Beast

She saw women carrying firewood, and how long it took, how strenuous, and the effect it was having on their health.

From The Daily Beast

A strenuous worker, Mr. Johnstone, like most men who have no hobby, did not long survive his retirement from active business life.

From Project Gutenberg

The strenuous efforts made by the Spaniards to secure their release are fully referred to in Chap.

From Project Gutenberg

Christianity has been for fifteen hundred years the religion of the brilliant, brave, and strenuous races in the world.

From Project Gutenberg

Philip Livingston, a signer and a strenuous advocate for the declaration of independence, died.

From Project Gutenberg

That is, Gaston greatly desired it; but this desire yielded to his wife's strenuous opposition.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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