What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
strenuous
Example
The hike up the mountain was quite strenuous. [strenuous: adjective]
Example
She put in a strenuous effort to complete the project on time. [strenuous: adjective]
taxing
Example
The job interview was quite taxing, and I felt mentally exhausted afterwards. [taxing: adjective]
Example
The marathon was very taxing on my body, but I was determined to finish. [taxing: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Taxing is more commonly used than strenuous in everyday language. Taxing is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while strenuous is less common and is typically used to describe physical activities.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between strenuous and taxing?
Both strenuous and taxing are formal words that are appropriate for use in professional or academic contexts. However, strenuous may be perceived as more formal due to its association with physical activity and sports.