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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of rigors
Running became her way to stay physically fit while navigating the rigors of medical school.
—
Jenn Nelson, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2025
That's a natural enough feeling for any new parent still adjusting to the rigors of their new life.
—Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Aug. 2025
Steve Finley, a 41-year-old center fielder, handled the rigors of the position but not major-league velocity.
—Andrew Baggarly, The Athletic, 12 Dec. 2024
To capitalize on this penchant for place-hopping, the Shady Rays brand centers on products that can stand the rigors of outdoor exploration.
—Jeff Fromm, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
Stier—Getty Images Clark was also adjusting to the rigors of the WNBA.
—Sean Gregory, TIME, 10 Dec. 2024
But scratch the surface and there are at least three distinct factions and a range of ideologies, barely suppressed to get through the rigors of the confirmation process.
—David E. Sanger, New York Times, 24 Nov. 2024
Owing to the rigors and responsibilities of parenthood and life in general, one or more of my associates is routinely absent, and increasingly all three simultaneously.
—R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 21 Oct. 2024
In a paper published on 3 January in Science Advances, researchers from Purdue University, in Indiana, have created a new prototype of electroluminescent thread that can glow blue, green, and yellow while maintaining its shape, even under the rigors of machine embroidery.
—Sarah Wells, IEEE Spectrum, 18 Jan. 2024
Jenn Nelson, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2025
That's a natural enough feeling for any new parent still adjusting to the rigors of their new life.
—Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Aug. 2025
Steve Finley, a 41-year-old center fielder, handled the rigors of the position but not major-league velocity.
—Andrew Baggarly, The Athletic, 12 Dec. 2024
To capitalize on this penchant for place-hopping, the Shady Rays brand centers on products that can stand the rigors of outdoor exploration.
—Jeff Fromm, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
Stier—Getty Images Clark was also adjusting to the rigors of the WNBA.
—Sean Gregory, TIME, 10 Dec. 2024
But scratch the surface and there are at least three distinct factions and a range of ideologies, barely suppressed to get through the rigors of the confirmation process.
—David E. Sanger, New York Times, 24 Nov. 2024
Owing to the rigors and responsibilities of parenthood and life in general, one or more of my associates is routinely absent, and increasingly all three simultaneously.
—R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 21 Oct. 2024
In a paper published on 3 January in Science Advances, researchers from Purdue University, in Indiana, have created a new prototype of electroluminescent thread that can glow blue, green, and yellow while maintaining its shape, even under the rigors of machine embroidery.
—Sarah Wells, IEEE Spectrum, 18 Jan. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rigors
Noun
-
And, without needing to preach, Preparation for the Next Life delineates the limits of immigrants reaching for solidarity from white Americans who may be experiencing their own hardships, but who are never going to be in danger of being deported.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Recent aid cuts have deepened hardships for families.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
This is where individuals with early interpersonal difficulties, such as less support from caregivers or difficulty resolving adolescent conflicts, were more likely to become the less committed or less invested partner in adult relationships.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
28 Aug. 2025
-
Mask no difficulties, mistakes, failures.—
Literary Hub
August 27,
Literary Hub,
27 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rigors.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rigors. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share