as in hardships
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
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Recent Examples of rigors
His father, Rick, an NBA journeyman, used to school his son in the rigors of hoops.
—
Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 3 June 2026
Several Orange County teams that qualified for the regional opted out of playing, citing the rigors of the season and the upcoming schedule for travel softball.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 1 June 2026
Faculty member Deonté Warren has led research in 2026 on how to prepare singers for the rigors of musical theater performance.
—Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 25 May 2026
After his sophomore season, Beane and previous coach Sean McDermott criticized Kincaid for not properly preparing himself for the rigors of a full schedule.
—Tim Graham, New York Times, 21 May 2026
David Hasselhoff’s complaints about the rigors of stage performing?
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 18 May 2026
In one of those sessions, his upper calves — not used to the rigors of exercise — partially tore from calf raises.
—Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 1 May 2026
Still, any move to reduce games is unlikely to ever be implemented – owners are never lining up at the door to reduce revenue, meaning teams will simply have to continue to adjust to the high rigors of the NBA season.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 25 Apr. 2026
In fact, Henson has adjusted rather quickly to the rhythms and the rigors of performing live.
—Juliana Ukiomogbe, Vogue, 24 Apr. 2026
Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 3 June 2026
Several Orange County teams that qualified for the regional opted out of playing, citing the rigors of the season and the upcoming schedule for travel softball.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 1 June 2026
Faculty member Deonté Warren has led research in 2026 on how to prepare singers for the rigors of musical theater performance.
—Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 25 May 2026
After his sophomore season, Beane and previous coach Sean McDermott criticized Kincaid for not properly preparing himself for the rigors of a full schedule.
—Tim Graham, New York Times, 21 May 2026
David Hasselhoff’s complaints about the rigors of stage performing?
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 18 May 2026
In one of those sessions, his upper calves — not used to the rigors of exercise — partially tore from calf raises.
—Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 1 May 2026
Still, any move to reduce games is unlikely to ever be implemented – owners are never lining up at the door to reduce revenue, meaning teams will simply have to continue to adjust to the high rigors of the NBA season.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 25 Apr. 2026
In fact, Henson has adjusted rather quickly to the rhythms and the rigors of performing live.
—Juliana Ukiomogbe, Vogue, 24 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rigors
Noun
-
This documentary follows the recording during a six-day period in 2025 and, augmented by Bareilles’ trademark openness, expounds on the personal hardships and grief the songstress/actress endured the past several years.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
-
This symbolized people of color in the LGBTQ+ community, and it was meant to draw attention to their unique hardships.—
Nicole Harris,
Parents,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
Sánchez’s left-wing government is facing difficulties, including corruption scandals, while more conservative voices, such as the nationalist-populist right-wing party Vox, are rising in popularity.—
Christopher Lamb,
CNN Money,
8 June 2026
-
These mound hurlers had six-weeks of spring training to work out their issues and pitching difficulties.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
8 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rigors.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rigors. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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