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
Synonym Usage
See active.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of strenuous
1590–1600; < Latin strēnuus; see -ous
Explanation
Something strenuous requires all your effort and strength, like a hard workout at the gym or carrying a backpack full of heavy books. Strenuous can also describe something done with lots of energy or force. If your boss asks you to do a strenuous task like carry a couch up a flight of stairs by yourself, and you refuse by jumping up and down in protest, you have a strenuous objection to her request. To remember how to spell it, remember that something strenuous requires the strength of two of you! That's why there are two u's in strenUoUs.
Vocabulary lists containing strenuous
List 6
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The Phantom Tollbooth
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And Then There Were None
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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.
“Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing. Try to limit strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Take action when you see symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.”
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 22, 2026
The activity needs to be strenuous enough to leave you noticeably out of breath.
From Science Daily • May 16, 2026
“I am certain,” he wrote in one letter, “that we must make strenuous efforts … to improve the so-called Army mind.”
From Slate • Feb. 9, 2026
For some users, Runna’s savings came with a hidden cost: an injury from plans they said were too strenuous.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 8, 2026
I was panting, as after a strenuous exertion, but floating, without effort.
From "The Bell Jar" by Sylvia Plath
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.
