What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
rigorous
Example
The university's rigorous curriculum prepared students well for their future careers. [rigorous: adjective]
Example
The company has a rigorous hiring process that includes multiple interviews and assessments. [rigorous: adjective]
Example
The athlete's rigorous training regimen included daily workouts and strict dietary restrictions. [rigorous: adjective]
strict
Example
The school has a strict policy against cheating and plagiarism. [strict: adjective]
Example
My parents were very strict when it came to curfew and homework. [strict: adjective]
Example
The company has strict safety protocols in place to prevent accidents and injuries. [strict: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Strict is more commonly used than rigorous in everyday language. Strict is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while rigorous is less common and tends to be used in academic or scientific contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between rigorous and strict?
Both rigorous and strict are formal words that are appropriate for professional or academic contexts. However, rigorous may be perceived as more formal due to its association with academic rigor and excellence.