vigorous

[vig-er-uhs]

adjective

1. full of or characterized by vigor.

   a vigorous effort.

   Antonyms: weak

2. strong; active; robust.

   a vigorous youngster.

   Synonyms: healthy, sound, sturdy
   Antonyms: weak

3. energetic; forceful: a vigorous personality.

   vigorous steps;

   a vigorous personality.

   Synonyms: powerful
   Antonyms: weak

4. powerful in action or effect.

   vigorous law enforcement.

   Antonyms: weak

5. growing well, as a plant.

   Antonyms: weak

vigorous

/ ˈvɪɡərəs /

adjective

1. endowed with bodily or mental strength or vitality; robust

2. displaying, involving, characterized by, or performed with vigour

   vigorous growth

Other Word Forms

• vigorously adverb
• vigorousness noun
• overvigorous adjective
• overvigorousness noun
• supervigorous adjective
• supervigorousness noun
• unvigorous adjective
• unvigorousness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of vigorous¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Old French, from Medieval Latin vigorōsus; vigor, -ous

Synonym Study

See active.

Example Sentences

The next storm, the Iraq War, gave “The Daily Show” vigorous purpose as the hot blade slicing through the hawkish, Islamophobic spin originating from the Bush-Cheney White House, and amplified by Fox News.

From Salon

The party relentlessly focused on places where they had a decent shot at winning, rather than run vigorous campaigns in every corner of the country.

From BBC

His death by a single gunshot during a speaking engagement at Utah Valley University last week shocked the nation and has led to vigorous debate over the motivations of his accused killer.

From Los Angeles Times

His death by a single gunshot during a speaking engagement at Utah Valley University shocked the nation and has led to vigorous debate over the motivations of his accused killer.

From Los Angeles Times

She’s not here to rearrange deck chairs on the Titanic; she’s here to convey — in vigorous, crystal-clear sentences — what we’re losing, and why.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• active 
• brisk 
• dynamic 
• effective 
• efficient 
• forceful 
• healthy 
• intense 
• lively 
• persuasive 
• potent 
• robust 
• spirited 
• strenuous 
• strong 
• tough 
• vital 
• zealous