rigorous

[rig-er-uhs] / ˈrɪg ər əs /

ADJECTIVE

severe; exact

Synonyms

STRONGEST

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

WEAK

ascetic austere bitter definite dogmatic hard inclement inflexible intemperate ironhanded nice oppressive punctilious right rugged stern stiff unpermissive

Antonyms

STRONGEST

careless false flexible gentle imprecise improper inaccurate incorrect inexact lenient negligent questionable soft tolerant unsuitable wrong yielding

WEAK

easygoing lax loose mild

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.

Before heading to space, MK1 underwent rigorous testing inside Chamber A at NASA's Johnson Space Center.

From Science Daily • May 6, 2026

Barclays predicts that by 2027, quantum systems will finally prove their superiority over classical computers in real-world applications—assuming those results withstand rigorous technical scrutiny.

From Barron's • May 6, 2026

The airlines emphasized Spirit’s dire financial straits, but the judge found that that distress didn’t meet a rigorous “failing firm” threshold that would’ve triggered friendlier antitrust treatment.

From Slate • May 5, 2026

The city's mayor said a rigorous investigation would be carried out.

From BBC • May 4, 2026

Masaccio’s Holy Trinity, 1425, in Santa Maria Novella in Florence, is the earliest rigorous perspective painting to survive, and is evidently dependent on Brunelleschi’s studies.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

Vocabulary lists containing rigorous

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This Week in Words: September 25 - October 1, 2017

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