VIGOROUS Synonyms: 207 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'vigorous' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of vigorous are energetic , lusty , nervous , and strenuous . While all these words mean "having or showing great vitality and force," vigorous further implies showing no signs of depletion or diminishing of freshness or robustness. // as vigorous as a youth half his age

Q: Where would 'energetic' be a reasonable alternative to 'vigorous'?

Although the words energetic and vigorous have much in common, energetic suggests a capacity for intense activity. // an energetic campaigner

Q: In what contexts can 'lusty' take the place of 'vigorous'?

While the synonyms lusty and vigorous are close in meaning, lusty implies exuberant energy and capacity for enjoyment. // a lusty appetite for life

Q: When is it sensible to use 'nervous' instead of 'vigorous'?

In some situations, the words nervous and vigorous are roughly equivalent. However, nervous suggests especially the forcibleness and sustained effectiveness resulting from mental vigor. // full of nervous energy

Q: When can 'strenuous' be used instead of 'vigorous'?

The synonyms strenuous and vigorous are sometimes interchangeable, but strenuous suggests a preference for coping with the arduous or the challenging. // the strenuous life on an oil rig

vigorous

adjective

ˈvi-g(ə-)rəs

Definition of vigorous

as in energetic

having active strength of body or mind he remains healthy and vigorous despite being over 80 years old

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in sturdy

able to withstand hardship, strain, or exposure vigorous and sturdy little sheep bred to live in mountainous regions

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in aggressive

marked by or uttered with forcefulness offered a vigorous dissent to the proposal

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in strong

not showing weakness or uncertainty gave the bottle of sauce a vigorous shaking

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective vigorous contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of vigorous are energetic, lusty, nervous, and strenuous. While all these words mean "having or showing great vitality and force," vigorous further implies showing no signs of depletion or diminishing of freshness or robustness.

as vigorous as a youth half his age

Where would energetic be a reasonable alternative to vigorous?

Although the words energetic and vigorous have much in common, energetic suggests a capacity for intense activity.

an energetic campaigner

In what contexts can lusty take the place of vigorous?

While the synonyms lusty and vigorous are close in meaning, lusty implies exuberant energy and capacity for enjoyment.

a lusty appetite for life

When is it sensible to use nervous instead of vigorous?

In some situations, the words nervous and vigorous are roughly equivalent. However, nervous suggests especially the forcibleness and sustained effectiveness resulting from mental vigor.

full of nervous energy

When can strenuous be used instead of vigorous?

The synonyms strenuous and vigorous are sometimes interchangeable, but strenuous suggests a preference for coping with the arduous or the challenging.

the strenuous life on an oil rig

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of vigorous While gentle stretching is generally safe for most people after eating, vigorous exercise and/or movements that compress the abdomen can lead to discomfort. — Kristen Gasnick, Verywell Health, 24 June 2026 While some of those cases have collapsed under judicial scrutiny and amid claims of political retribution, Bolton didn’t mount a vigorous defense against his charges before cutting a deal. — Michael Kunzelman, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026 When Tunisia scored, vigorous cheers arose from fans like Erije Benaissa, a Tunisia native currently living in Arkansas. — Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 26 June 2026 During warmups, while the French players lazily passed the ball between one another or popped it off the ground to gently juggle with their feet, the Norwegians, their red shirts bright against the grass, formed a tight circle and did vigorous plyometrics. — Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 27 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for vigorous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for vigorous

Adjective

Work with Your Design Style A color this bright and energetic couldn’t possibly be versatile, too, right?

— Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 July 2026
Brazil were energetic and vertical, Vinicius Junior and Rayan stretched their opponents and Gabriel Martinelli’s stoppage-time winner was just reward.

— Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 4 July 2026

Definition of energetic

Adjective

The goal is gentle smoke and indirect heat rather than aggressive flames.

— Staff, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
Right now, the multi-trillion-dollar global apparel industry is undergoing an aggressive technological shift, adopting artificial intelligence as a production standard rather than an experimental pilot.

— Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 2 July 2026

Definition of aggressive

Adjective

Beyond California, scientists are raising alarms over the planet’s warming oceans, which — coupled with a strong El Niño — could increase temperatures for land dwellers in the coming weeks.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Weather aside, Fall/Winter 2026 Haute Couture Week, running from July 6 to 9, will feature shows from 30 houses, compared with FW25’s 27-strong line-up.

— Laure Guilbault, Vogue, 6 July 2026

Definition of strong

Adjective

Before the earthquakes, the government generally defended its national health system as robust, blaming shortcomings on sanctions imposed by the United States.

— Max Saltman, CNN Money, 30 June 2026
The country also offers robust infrastructure, with new projects such as the Hafeet Rail, enhanced digital connectivity, favorable tax policies, and a low crime rate.

— Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 30 June 2026

Definition of robust

Adjective

Modales leans into cold-hardy grapes varieties like blaufränkisch, the spicy Austrian red variety that has become a favorite by-the-glass pour at Ox Bar.

— Anna Lee Iijima, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2026
PeeGee thrives in summer heat and is exceptionally cold-hardy, tolerating full sun and partial shade.

— SJ McShane, Martha Stewart, 29 June 2026

Definition of hardy

Adjective

Mozeliak didn’t rule himself out as the long-term answer at general manager and was emphatic about not speaking in absolutes.

— Joaquin Ruiz, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2026
Senegal secured third place in FIFA World Cup Group I with an emphatic 5-0 victory over the 10 men of Iraq — the biggest ever win for an African team at a World Cup.

— Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 26 June 2026

Definition of emphatic

Adjective

Goldin, who appeared in 11 Heat games as a rookie, was very solid on Friday, blocking a shot by Maliq Brown and then blocking a shot on an alley oop.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 4 July 2026
Additionally, Thursday morning’s mission was the last to use the Atlas V’s most powerful configuration with five strap-on solid rocket boosters.

— Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 3 July 2026

Definition of solid

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“Vigorous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vigorous. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of vigorous

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