strenuous

USAGE SUMMARY

'strenuous' is a correct word in written English.
You can use it to describe anything that requires physical or mental effort, or a situation that is demanding or vigorous. Example sentence: She found the hike to the top of the mountain to be a strenuous but rewarding experience.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We're about to encounter the most strenuous month of our lives so far and no one knows exactly what to expect.

The Guardian

The NHS as a whole has made strenuous efforts to improve quality and safety of care since Robert Francis QC's report in 2013 into the Mid Staffs scandal, such as hiring many thousands more nurses.

The Guardian

"You may perhaps find some compensation for living in Cambridge in the excellent opportunities it affords for a strenuous intellectual life; it is a great advantage too that there should be so many young men from who to choose suitable and worthy companions".

The Guardian

We have made strenuous efforts to help him with his memory – including taking him back to where he was found – but nothing has been successful so far.

The Guardian

In the Nicaraguan sugar fields they found rates of CKD in cane cutters and seed cutters – the most strenuous jobs – to be higher than in pesticide applicators, who have greater exposure to agrochemicals.

The Guardian

He then made a strenuous effort for critical acclaim with his role as the serial killer Albert DeSalvo in The Boston Strangler (1968), flashily directed with use of a split screen.

The Guardian - Film

Chasing deadlines and running late to lectures are the most strenuous forms of exercise many students engage in.

The Guardian

Ballantyne had made strenuous efforts to disassociate himself from the financial mismanagement that had seen Airdrieonians disappear under a mountain of debt.

The Guardian - Sport

For the more leisurely inclined, Antigua remains a place where there is no pressure on anyone to do anything more strenuous than count the sandpipers scampering along your balcony or feel the palm trees filter the heat of an early-evening breeze.

The Guardian - Travel

In life a few fine souls come along to make a strenuous case for how a person should be.

The Guardian - Books

Nicaragua Sugar Estates, one of Central America's largest plantations, has conducted internal studies, and one in 2001 pointed to "strenuous labour with exposure to high environmental temperatures without an adequate hydration programme" as an important factor.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "strenuous" to describe activities or efforts that require significant physical or mental exertion. For example, "strenuous exercise" or "strenuous negotiations".

Common error

Avoid using "strenuous" when "difficult" or "challenging" more accurately convey the nature of the task. "Strenuous" specifically implies a high degree of energy expenditure.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "strenuous" primarily functions as a descriptive modifier, characterizing nouns related to activities, efforts, or conditions. It indicates that the modified noun involves a significant degree of exertion or energy expenditure. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples of its usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

27%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "strenuous" is an adjective used to describe something that requires significant effort, energy, or exertion. Ludwig AI classifies it as grammatically correct and very common, noting its presence across various contexts, including news, business, and scientific writing. As shown by Ludwig, its meaning aligns with other adjectives like "arduous", "taxing", and "demanding". When writing, it's best to reserve "strenuous" for situations where significant physical or mental energy is involved. A common error is misusing it when "difficult" or "challenging" would be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strenuous effort

This phrase is identical in meaning but is a noun phrase compared to the base query adjective.

arduous

Emphasizes difficulty and laboriousness.

taxing

Focuses on the depleting effect on resources or energy.

demanding

Highlights the high requirements and expectations involved.

vigorous

Suggests energy and forcefulness.

laborious

Stresses the amount of work involved.

exhausting

Highlights the draining effect on energy reserves.

challenging

Emphasizes the difficulty and the need for skill.

grueling

Implies extreme exhaustion and difficulty over a prolonged period.

energetic

Focuses on the high level of activity and vitality involved.

FAQs

How can I use "strenuous" in a sentence?

You can use "strenuous" to describe activities or efforts that require a lot of energy or effort. For example, "The hike was very strenuous" or "They made strenuous efforts to find a solution".

What can I say instead of "strenuous"?

You can use alternatives like "arduous", "taxing", or "demanding" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "strenuous activity" or "strenuous inactivity"?

"Strenuous activity" is correct. "Strenuous" implies effort, which contradicts the concept of inactivity. Consider using "enforced inactivity" instead.

What's the difference between "strenuous" and "difficult"?

"Strenuous" refers specifically to requiring great effort or energy, while "difficult" describes something hard to do or understand. A task can be difficult without being strenuous, and vice versa.