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

Other Word Forms

• rigorously adverb
• rigorousness noun
• overrigorous adjective
• overrigorousness noun
• self-rigorous adjective
• semirigorous adjective
• semirigorousness noun
• unrigorous adjective
• unrigorousness 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

But the authors of the rebuttal say the report misrepresents evidence, relies on discredited research and fails to follow the peer review process typically expected of rigorous scientific assessments, among other concerns.

From Los Angeles Times

"As with all government policy, it's essential that any forthcoming regulation is based on a rigorous assessment of the evidence that's available," he added.

From BBC

Some of those firms are broadly respected, and claim to follow rigorous ethical guidelines.

From BBC

She went to a rigorous high school and learned how to read, write and conduct research.

From Los Angeles Times

Following a lengthening of its mandatory conscription programme, Taiwan has now increased pay and benefits for the military, and introduced more rigorous training.

From BBC

Related Words

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

When To Use

What does rigorous mean?

Rigorous is used to describe things characterized by rigor—strict discipline or severe exactness and precision.Describing an experiment or study as rigorous means it was conducted with extreme precision in order to achieve accuracy.Describing an athletic or academic program as rigorous means it is designed to be challenging and focused on strict discipline.If a teacher is known for being rigorous, it means that they are very strict about things like students completing all of their work and following the rules exactly.Example: The are the result of months of rigorous testing.