strenuous

Strenuous is an adjective used to describe tasks or activities that require a great deal of exertion or effort. It can refer to physical exertion, such as intense exercise or heavy labor, as well as to mental or emotional effort, such as a strenuous problem-solving task or a strenuous negotiation. The term conveys that the activity is taxing and demanding relative to a person’s usual capabilities.

Etymology: The word derives from Latin strenuus, meaning vigorous or active, and entered English through Old French and early Modern English usage in the 16th or 17th century. The sense emphasizes energy, fortitude, and sustained effort.

Usage and contexts: In fitness and sports, strenuous activities are considered vigorous-intensity, typically requiring substantial increases in heart rate and breathing. Guidelines commonly describe such activity as sufficient to raise heart rate to a high level or as roughly METs of 6 or more. Examples include fast running, heavy resistance training, or steep hill climbing. In other domains, strenuous can describe tasks that demand long hours or intense concentration, such as a strenuous audit or legal negotiation.

Usage notes: The term is relative and context-dependent; what is strenuous for one person may be moderate for another. Synonyms include arduous, taxing, demanding, exhausting. Antonyms include easy, effortless, simple. It can carry a positive sense of admirable effort or a critical sense of excessive difficulty depending on tone and context.

See also: physical fitness, work intensity, exertion, METs.