rigorous

[ rig-er-uhs ]

adjective

1. characterized by rigor; rigidly severe or harsh, as people, rules, or discipline:

   rigorous laws.

   Synonyms: unyielding, stiff, inflexible, hard, austere, stern

   Antonyms: soft, flexible

2. severely exact or accurate; precise:

   rigorous research.

   Synonyms: finical, demanding

   Antonyms: inaccurate

3. (of weather or climate) uncomfortably severe or harsh; extremely inclement.

   Synonyms: bitter, hard

   Antonyms: mild

4. Logic, Mathematics. logically valid.

rigorous

/ ˈrɪɡərəs /

adjective

1. characterized by or proceeding from rigour; harsh, strict, or severe

   rigorous discipline

2. severely accurate; scrupulous

   rigorous book-keeping

3. (esp of weather) extreme or harsh
4. maths logic (of a proof) making the validity of the successive steps completely explicit

Derived Forms

• ˈrigorously, adverb
• ˈrigorousness, noun

Other Words From

• rig·or·ous·ly adverb
• rig·or·ous·ness noun
• o·ver·rig·or·ous adjective
• o·ver·rig·or·ous·ness noun
• self-rig·or·ous adjective
• sem·i·rig·or·ous adjective
• sem·i·rig·or·ous·ness noun
• un·rig·or·ous adjective
• un·rig·or·ous·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of rigorous¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Medieval Latin rigōrōsus; rigor, -ous

Synonym Study

See strict.

Example Sentences

The monograph lacked a “rigorous statistical review.”

From Los Angeles Times

In their new study, the team wanted to confirm the drug's efficacy in a more rigorous comparison against a placebo using a double-blind randomized clinical trial design.

From Science Daily

Their work marks a major milestone, as the device is the first wearable ultrasound blood pressure sensor to undergo rigorous and comprehensive clinical validation on over 100 patients.

From Science Daily

To the extent that it’s sentimental, it’s also clear-eyed, genuine and conceptually rigorous.

From Los Angeles Times

Regarding history curriculum, the website says: “Racially divisive policies and theories and false teachings of the American founding are indoctrinating America’s youth with an anti-American ideology instead of preparing them for engaged citizenship by teaching rigorous subject matter.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• accurate
• brutal
• burdensome
• correct
• exacting
• harsh
• meticulous
• onerous
• precise
• proper
• rigid
• scrupulous
• strict
• stringent
• uncompromising