Advertisement

Advertisement

View synonyms for rigor

rigor

[ rig-er ]

noun

  1. strictness, severity, or harshness, as in dealing with people.

    Synonyms: inflexibility, stringency

  2. the full or extreme severity of laws, rules, etc.
  3. severity of living conditions; hardship; austerity:

    the rigor of wartime existence.

  4. a severe or harsh act, circumstance, etc.

    Synonyms: cruelty

  5. scrupulous or inflexible accuracy or adherence:

    the logical rigor of mathematics.

  6. severity of weather or climate or an instance of this:

    the rigors of winter.

  7. Pathology. a sudden coldness, as that preceding certain fevers; chill.
  8. Physiology. a state of rigidity in muscle tissues during which they are unable to respond to stimuli due to the coagulation of muscle protein.
  9. Obsolete. stiffness or rigidity.


rigor

/ ˈraɪɡɔː; ˈrɪɡə /

noun

  1. med a sudden feeling of chilliness, often accompanied by shivering: it sometimes precedes a fever
  2. ˈrɪɡə pathol rigidity of a muscle; muscular cramp
  3. a state of rigidity assumed by some animals in reaction to sudden shock
  4. the inertia assumed by some plants in conditions unfavourable to growth
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of rigor1

1350–1400; Middle English rigour < Latin rigor stiffness, equivalent to rig ( ēre ) to be stiff + -or -or 1
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of rigor1

see rigour
Discover More

Example Sentences

A single volunteer’s illness has sparked a temporary halt to the late-stage clinical trial of a leading coronavirus vaccine, an action that highlights the level of rigor needed to ensure that a vaccine is safe and effective, experts say.

There are intense physical rigors involved in riding a rocket into orbit and living in microgravity for more than a few days.

You want something that will stand up to the rigors of the great outdoors, but won’t weigh you down.

It’s hard to imagine a successful program of making a non-scientifically trained public interested in adopting the rigors of scientific habits of mind.

The results have been posted online but not yet published in a medical journal, and theydon’t have the same rigor as a clinical trial, which typically compares a treatment to the standard of care.

From Fortune

A National Transportation Safety Board investigation will deliver a forensic rigor that has been so far lacking.

Yet by equating their engineering with Teutonic rigor the Germans have created the impression of an exclusive proprietary quality.

Rigor/College Preparedness (30 percent) Three data points made up this category, each weighted equally.

When examined with any rigor, the stereotypes circulating about current-day hipsters make no sense whatsoever.

In terms of the intellectual rigor required to get the job done, Storr chose the tougher path.

Every rigor of hard fare, and severe usage, was inexorably brought upon him.

It is true that the chancellor, who presided at that judgment, treated the illustrious captive with too much rigor.

Besides this, the long continuance of the potests is in itself a proof that its rigor was more apparent than real.

The blockade of Leghorn was enforced with the utmost rigor and great effectiveness.

The rigor of the decemvirs was tempered by the equity of the prtors.

Advertisement

Discover More

More About Rigor

What is rigor?

Rigor is strictness and inflexibility, as in The military academy was known for its dedication to perfection, discipline, and rigor.

Rigor is also hardship or austerity, as in Young soldiers are rarely ready to handle the rigors of war.

Rigor can also refer to a strict accuracy, as with scientific experiments.

If a teacher is known for their rigor, they are very strict about things like students finishing all their homework and are likely to punish students who don’t follow the rules. A person known for rigor is likely to support punishments for people who misbehave rather than rewards for people who behave.

Rigor can also mean a condition that makes life harder, such as living without electricity. When referring to austerity, can mean living without a lot of things that make life pleasant, like takeout food, video games, and traveling.

Finally, rigor can mean strict accuracy or precision, as in The report on water pollution was commended for its scientific rigor.

In British English, this word is commonly spelled as rigour.

The adjective form of rigor is rigorous and it is most often used to mean something is very harsh or full of difficulties, as in It takes years of rigorous training to be an Olympic athlete.

Example: We nearly froze as we huddled in the log cabin and suffered through the rigors of the harsh, unforgiving winter.

Where does rigor come from?

The first records of rigor come from around 1350. It ultimately comes from the Latin rigēre, meaning “to be stiff.” If a person is known for their rigor, they are known for being inflexible in their beliefs, opinions, or actions.

If you watch a lot of murder mysterious or are familiar with medicine, you have likely heard the Latin rigor used in the term rigor mortis, meaning a stiffening of the body after death.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to rigor?

What are some synonyms for rigor?

What are some words that share a root or word element with rigor

What are some words that often get used in discussing rigor?

How is rigor used in real life?

Rigor is most often used to mean strictness or hardship.

Try using rigor!

True or False?

A teacher who is known for their rigor will let students do whatever they want and will rarely punish them.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


Rigolettorigorism