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
Cheap Trick also spaces out dates when possible, giving members time to recuperate from the rigors of the road.
—
Marc Ballon, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026
But can the league’s new megastar withstand the rigors of an NBA title run?
—Jared Weiss, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2026
That’s building to withstand the rigors of an NFL season and also preparing for a future in which the quarterback is no longer on a rookie deal and the front line must be cheaper — but not without some incubation time in one of the league’s best offensive line development programs.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 9 Apr. 2026
Despite being a spindly 180 pounds, he has not been worn down by the rigors of the Big 10 or the NCAA tournament, having scored in double figures in every game since the calendar turned to 2026.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2026
Bass in the pre-spawn period often feed voraciously to put on weight for their reproductive rigors.
—Bryan Hendricks, Arkansas Online, 29 Mar. 2026
Davison has a natural tenor singing voice eerily similar to a young Jon Anderson, fronted the Yes tribute band Roundabout, and was more than ready for the rigors of the road after playing in the groups Glass Hammer and Sky Cries Mary.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 21 Mar. 2026
One flirts and drinks and dallies and dances; the other is part child, part monk, his mantel packed with icons and crucifixes, his inner landscape a kind of mental Sagrada Família — a weird and extraordinary edifice constructed around the rigors and promises of Christianity.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026
Generations of Huskies alumni still bemoan the rigors Auriemma put them through in college and complain that the famously tough head coach has gone soft with age.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 13 Mar. 2026
Marc Ballon, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026
But can the league’s new megastar withstand the rigors of an NBA title run?
—Jared Weiss, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2026
That’s building to withstand the rigors of an NFL season and also preparing for a future in which the quarterback is no longer on a rookie deal and the front line must be cheaper — but not without some incubation time in one of the league’s best offensive line development programs.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 9 Apr. 2026
Despite being a spindly 180 pounds, he has not been worn down by the rigors of the Big 10 or the NCAA tournament, having scored in double figures in every game since the calendar turned to 2026.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2026
Bass in the pre-spawn period often feed voraciously to put on weight for their reproductive rigors.
—Bryan Hendricks, Arkansas Online, 29 Mar. 2026
Davison has a natural tenor singing voice eerily similar to a young Jon Anderson, fronted the Yes tribute band Roundabout, and was more than ready for the rigors of the road after playing in the groups Glass Hammer and Sky Cries Mary.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 21 Mar. 2026
One flirts and drinks and dallies and dances; the other is part child, part monk, his mantel packed with icons and crucifixes, his inner landscape a kind of mental Sagrada Família — a weird and extraordinary edifice constructed around the rigors and promises of Christianity.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026
Generations of Huskies alumni still bemoan the rigors Auriemma put them through in college and complain that the famously tough head coach has gone soft with age.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 13 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rigors
Noun
-
South Korean officials confirmed details of Kim’s defection, and his descriptions of hardships faced by North Koreans mirror numerous accounts defectors shared with CNN.—
Mike Valerio,
CNN Money,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Danielle Litz, a mom of two, knows the hardships that come with having babies endure an extended stay in the NICU all too well.—
Kayla Grant,
PEOPLE,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
This project encountered several delays, and POSCO dropped it a few years ago due to difficulties in acquiring land, according to a Reuters report.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
21 Apr. 2026
-
The wayward high-schoolers of the HBO series are now young adults, encountering the difficulties that come with entering the real world and trying to establish themselves.—
Molly Lambert,
Vulture,
20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rigors.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rigors. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
