rigorous

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'rigorous' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is difficult and exacting, such as a process, set of rules, or plan. For example, you could say, "We put in place a rigorous system to ensure accuracy and quality in our production line."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The future of Barack Obama's signature healthcare reforms hangs in the balance after facing a rigorous challenge from conservative justices on the supreme court.

The Guardian

The review was aimed at achieving a more rigorous approach to who should get counter-terrorism money, and what it regards as Labour's bungling.

The Guardian

"We no longer wanted to be the place, the repository where those data lived, because we couldn't guarantee that they were methodologically rigorous enough for us to actually publish," said Erica L Smith, chief of BJS's law enforcement statistics unit.

The Guardian

When I spoke to parents of children with special needs, several wondered if the higher Ofsted grades were a function of less rigorous expectations on special schools.

The Guardian

Uefa, which has backed its policies with rigorous economic and survey research, is not fooled by the Premier League's relentless trumpeting of its good works, including the distribution of 5% of its TV revenue to grass roots facilities via the Football Foundation.

The Guardian - Sport

But her speed was the result of an extraordinary technical acuity due to the rigorous training she received in the years after the second world war.

The Guardian - Arts

For the past 18 months, the finance minister, Jan Kees De Jager, has been the loudest advocate for the most rigorous austerity for the bailed-out countries of the eurozone, and for the punitive new fiscal rules.

The Guardian

Western governments reviled him and were united in imposing rigorous political and economic sanctions against Poland.

The Guardian

Figures are usually based on impressionistic and subjective questionnaires rather than rigorous clinical evidence or diagnosis.

The Guardian

We had a rigorous, three-month consultation process led by officers, and the cabinet member for regeneration Rubina Khan was part and parcel of that, and we met the stakeholders and people were quite excited, but of course there was some anxiety and opposition but we made sure we heeded those apprehensions and accommodated them.

The Guardian

Born in the US, he spent much of his life in Canada; there and in Britain he promoted a radical way of thinking about diagnosis and treatment that was based on a rigorous assessment of the relevant evidence from a patient's symptoms and clinical signs, and from results of tests and published trials.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "rigorous", ensure the context clearly supports the need for strictness, thoroughness, or precision. Overuse can make your writing sound overly formal or critical.

Common error

Avoid using "rigorous" in casual conversations or informal writing. It's generally more appropriate for formal, academic, or professional settings where a high degree of precision or strictness is required. Using it incorrectly can sound unnatural or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "rigorous" primarily functions to modify nouns, indicating a high degree of thoroughness, accuracy, and strictness. Ludwig AI confirms that it fits standard grammar rules, further validating its grammatical integrity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Formal & Business

26%

Science

23%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rigorous" is a versatile adjective employed to describe something done meticulously, thoroughly, and with strict adherence to standards. As Ludwig AI confirms, the term is grammatically sound and widely accepted. Its primary function is to add emphasis to the demanding or precise nature of a subject, lending an air of authority and credibility. While "rigorous" is most at home in formal contexts such as academia, science, and business, it’s crucial to avoid overuse or inappropriate application in casual settings where it can sound stilted. By understanding its nuances and context-specific suitability, you can effectively leverage "rigorous" to enhance the clarity and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

thorough

Focuses on completeness and attention to detail.

stringent

Emphasizes strictness and adherence to rules.

meticulous

Highlights precision and care in execution.

strict

Implies a firm and uncompromising approach.

demanding

Suggests a high level of difficulty and effort required.

exacting

Focuses on a high standard of accuracy and precision.

accurate

Emphasizes correctness and freedom from error.

precise

Highlights exactness and clarity.

comprehensive

Implies a wide-ranging and inclusive approach.

austere

Suggests severity and lack of ornamentation or ease.

FAQs

How can I use "rigorous" in a sentence?

You can use "rigorous" to describe a process, system, or standard that is very strict and thorough. For example, "The experiment was conducted under "rigorous conditions" to ensure accurate results".

What are some alternatives to the word "rigorous"?

Depending on the context, you can use words like "thorough", "stringent", "meticulous", or "strict" as alternatives to "rigorous".

Is it appropriate to use "rigorous" in casual conversation?

While grammatically correct, "rigorous" is generally more suited for formal or professional contexts. In casual settings, alternatives like "thorough" or "careful" may sound more natural.

What does "rigorous" mean?

"Rigorous" means extremely thorough, accurate, and strict. It is often used to describe processes or standards that demand a high level of precision and attention to detail.