rigor

noun

rig·​or ˈri-gər 

1

a(1)

: harsh inflexibility in opinion, temper, or judgment : severity

The least one might observe is that this muddle of moralism and laxity, extreme rigor and casual permissiveness, arduous altruism and nonchalant selfishness, has consequences.

—Peter Berkowitz

(2)

: the quality of being unyielding or inflexible : strictness

Their abandonment of this terminology is part of an effort to soften the rigor of some of the rigid consequences thought to flow from the mechanical application of this dichotomy.

—John D. Calamari and Joseph M. Perillo

(3)

: severity of life : austerity

… a moral rigor and growth that might help this country.

—Stanley Kauffmann

b

: an act or instance of strictness, severity, or cruelty

… the humanist must recognize the normality, the practical necessity of the very rigors he is trying to soften and correct.

—Hermann J. Muller

2

: a tremor caused by a chill

This young woman presented at the hospital with severe abdominal pain and signs of infection, including fever, rigor, and leukocytosis.

—Robert E. Scully et al.

3

: a condition that makes life difficult, challenging, or uncomfortable

especially : extremity of cold

the rigors of a New England winter

4

: strict precision : exactness

logical rigor

Tentatively one might suggest that what characterizes science is the rigor of its methodology …

—Ernst Mayr

5

a

obsolete : rigidity, stiffness

b

: rigidness or torpor of organs or tissue that prevents response to stimuli

c

: rigor mortis

A fish has its best flavor and texture when cooked while just coming out of rigor.

—Jane Daniels Lear

Synonyms

• adversity
• asperity
• difficulty
• hardness
• hardship

Examples of rigor in a Sentence

They underwent the rigors of military training.

the rigors of life in the wilderness

They conducted the experiments with scientific rigor.

a scholar known for her intellectual rigor

Recent Examples on the Web

Graphic: Joe Murphy / NBC News Why testing for Covid is still useful Dr. Amesh Adalja, an infectious disease physician and senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, said people don’t need to test with the same rigor as at the height of the pandemic. —Katie Mogg, NBC News, 20 Nov. 2023

The project isn’t meant to demonstrate scientific rigor; instead, it’s meant to show that art can affect viewers in meaningful ways. —Teresa Nowakowski, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Nov. 2023

The 65 best bookstores in L.A. Even without today’s enticements of fluffy coffees and lounging sofas, book lovers of yore managed to endure the rigors of strolling from store to store in these neighborhoods. —Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 14 Nov. 2023

The durable hardside exterior is designed to withstand the rigors of travel, while the spacious interior provides ample space for all your festive outfits and gifts. —Theresa Johnson, Rolling Stone, 10 Nov. 2023

The outside is made of a polyester material reviewers say is sturdy enough to withstand the rigors of travel. —Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 8 Nov. 2023

However, despite the rigor and breadth of the science, these dire conclusions have been consistently challenged, delaying or forgoing opportunities to curtail climate change and adapt to it. —Bydavid Schimel, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2023

The rigor and exactitude of academic research wasn’t fun. —Jacob Bacharach, The New Republic, 12 Oct. 2023

Howard Herring, entering his 23rd season as president and chief executive of NWS, says the idea Tilson Thomas had for the orchestra was to provide a middle ground between the formality of academic life and the rigors of professional appointment. —Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 23 Sep. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

Middle English rigour, from Anglo-French, from Latin rigor, literally, stiffness, from rigēre to be stiff

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Phrases Containing rigor

• rigor mortis

• rigor mortis

Kids Definition

rigor

noun

rig·​or ˈrig-ər 

1

a

: the quality of not being flexible or yielding

b

: an act or instance of being strict or harsh

2

: a shuddering caused by a chill

3

: a condition that makes life difficult or uncomfortable

especially : extreme cold

4

: strict precision : exactness

logical rigor

Medical Definition

rigor

noun

rig·​or

ˈrig-ər, British also ˈrī-ˌgȯr

1

a

: chill sense 1

b

: a tremor caused by a chill

2

a

: rigidity or torpor of organs or tissue that prevents response to stimuli

b

: rigor mortis