Synonyms of rigor

rigor

noun

ˈri-gər 

1

as in hardship

something that is a cause for suffering or special effort especially in the attainment of a goal

hard-bitten folk who survived many rigors on the way to the promised land

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hardship
• difficulty
• hardness
• obstacle
• adversity
• hurdle
• asperity
• trial
• discomfort
• inconvenience
• obstruction
• tragedy
• tribulation
• interference
• impediment
• nuisance
• inhibition
• misfortune
• hindrance
• embarrassment
• let
• encumbrance
• deterrent
• mishap
• affliction
• chain
• rub
• handicap
• shackle
• hitch
• catch
• knock
• snag
• stop
• crimp
• clog
• trammel
• manacle
• block
• pons asinorum
• hump
• check
• bar
• fetter

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• opportunity
• advantage
• break

2

as in severity

the quality or state of being demanding or unyielding (as in discipline or criticism)

after being coddled by his former coach, the swimmer was shocked by the rigor of the new training program

Synonyms & Similar Words

• severity
• rigidity
• strictness
• stringency
• inflexibility
• sternness
• rigidness
• hardness
• harshness
• rigorousness
• exactingness
• implacability
• callousness
• obduracy
• gruffness
• resolve
• steadfastness
• pitilessness
• determination
• monasticism
• firmness
• asceticism
• dourness
• obstinacy
• stubbornness
• hard-heartedness
• obdurateness
• austerity
• austereness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• flexibility
• gentleness
• tolerance
• patience
• tenderness
• softness
• indulgence
• kindness
• laxness
• forbearance
• responsiveness
• willingness
• mildness
• compliance
• lenience
• pliability
• pliancy

3

as in accuracy

the quality or state of being very accurate

said that she had heard that excuse a million times, but then she was never known for the rigor of her calculations

Synonyms & Similar Words

• accuracy
• precision
• preciseness
• perfection
• exactness
• exactitude
• fidelity
• definiteness
• veracity
• rigorousness
• truth
• nicety
• fineness
• definitiveness
• accurateness
• strictness
• delicacy
• closeness
• correctness
• ultraprecision
• rightness
• subtlety
• determinacy
• meticulousness
• fastidiousness
• carefulness
• definitude
• care
• persnicketiness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• roughness
• imprecision
• inaccuracy
• approximation
• coarseness
• roundness
• inexactness
• inexactitude
• wrongness
• falsity
• impreciseness
• carelessness
• incorrectness
• looseness
• falseness
• vagueness
• guesswork
• indefiniteness

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of rigor

But critics have noted that trust has begun to erode as Michelin accepts cash in exchange for coverage, and accusations of AI use would further undermine the rigor and thoroughness on which Michelin has built its reputation. — Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 16 Oct. 2026

Others describe the studies necessary to replicate, refute or refine these advances and ensure the necessary scientific rigor to successfully discover and develop new drugs. — Fred D. Ledley, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2026

The list takes months to compile, with multiple steps and checks designed to ensure rigor and consistency. — Kate Dore, Cfp®, Ea,kelli Grant, Cfp®, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026

There’s a joy to the collection, but also a real rigor behind it. — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2026