Meaning & use
rigorously
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Meanings
adverbnot comparable
In a very careful, thorough way that leaves no detail unchecked.
Grammar: Goes with verbs of checking or study: tested rigorously; it can also precede a participle: rigorously tested.
Patterns
- rigorously tested
- rigorously examined
Every new medicine is rigorously tested before it reaches the pharmacy.
The report was rigorously checked for errors.
She studied the data rigorously before drawing a conclusion.
adverbnot comparableformal
In a strict way, without allowing exceptions or relaxing the rules.
Grammar: Often used with enforce, follow or apply: rules rigorously enforced.
Patterns
- rigorously enforced
- rigorously followed
The no-smoking rule is rigorously enforced in the building.
The team rigorously followed the safety procedure.
He applied the standards rigorously to every applicant.
Word forms
| comparative | more rigorously |
|---|---|
| superlative | most rigorously |
Common combinations
- rigorously tested
- The bridge design was rigorously tested.
- rigorously enforced
- The school's dress code is rigorously enforced.
- rigorously examine
- Scientists must rigorously examine their own assumptions.
- rigorously trained
- The cadets are rigorously trained for months.
- rigorously apply
- Judges must rigorously apply the law.
- rigorously reviewed
- Each article is rigorously reviewed by experts.
Synonyms and how they differ
- thoroughly
- Thoroughly means completely and in detail, but rigorously also stresses strict standards.
- strictly
- Strictly focuses on following rules without exceptions, whereas rigorously adds the idea of careful checking.
- meticulously
- Meticulously suggests attention to very small details, while rigorously suggests strictness and thoroughness.
- stringently
- Stringently is used mostly for rules and controls, and is narrower than rigorously.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: rigorously or vigorously?
rigorously vs vigorously
Vigorously means with great energy and force. Rigorously means with strict, careful thoroughness.
Practice
Each of the experimental results was ___ checked by a second team.
Choose one answer.
Rigorously checked means checked with great thoroughness. Vigorously means energetically, which does not fit checking.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “rigorously”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.