vigorous

[vig-er-uhs]

adjective

1. full of or characterized by vigor.

   a vigorous effort.

   Antonyms: weak

2. strong; active; robust.

   a vigorous youngster.

   Synonyms: healthy, sound, sturdy
   Antonyms: weak

3. energetic; forceful: a vigorous personality.

   vigorous steps;

   a vigorous personality.

   Synonyms: powerful
   Antonyms: weak

4. powerful in action or effect.

   vigorous law enforcement.

   Antonyms: weak

5. growing well, as a plant.

   Antonyms: weak

vigorous

/ ˈvɪɡərəs /

adjective

1. endowed with bodily or mental strength or vitality; robust

2. displaying, involving, characterized by, or performed with vigour

   vigorous growth

Other Word Forms

• vigorousness noun
• vigorously adverb
• overvigorous adjective
• overvigorousness noun
• supervigorous adjective
• supervigorousness noun
• unvigorous adjective
• unvigorousness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of vigorous¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Old French, from Medieval Latin vigorōsus; vigor, -ous

Synonym Study

See active.

Example Sentences

Competition for the Swedish contract is with a French shipbuilding firm, which has the vigorous backing of the French government.

From BBC

For a player long reluctant to changing his old vigorous training routine, it provided a different way to think about maintaining his body.

From Los Angeles Times

Taking that time has helped them realize they want to retain their raised garden beds and fruit trees in the backyard, including vigorous avocado and pomegranate trees grown from seeds.

From Los Angeles Times

We asked Rangers fans for their verdict on their team and their manager, and they were unsurprisingly vigorous in their responses...

From BBC

Yet seen from another perspective, nothing could be as surprising as the birth in that particular location of a gigantic, vigorous megalopolis.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• active 
• brisk 
• dynamic 
• effective 
• efficient 
• forceful 
• healthy 
• intense 
• lively 
• persuasive 
• potent 
• robust 
• spirited 
• strenuous 
• strong 
• tough 
• vital 
• zealous