vigor

noun

vig·​or ˈvi-gər 

1

: active bodily or mental strength or force

2

: active healthy well-balanced growth especially of plants

3

: intensity of action or effect : force

4

: effective legal status

Synonyms

• beans
• bounce
• brio
• dash
• drive
• dynamism
• energy
• esprit
• gas
• get-up-and-go
• ginger
• go
• gusto
• hardihood
• juice
• life
• moxie
• oomph
• pep
• punch
• sap
• snap
• starch
• verve
• vim
• vinegar
• vitality
• zing
• zip

Examples of vigor in a Sentence

She defended her beliefs with great vigor.

she was picked to lead the volunteer group because of her vigor and enthusiasm

Recent Examples on the Web

This is a watershed moment that underscores the need for democracies to defend their institutions with vigor and resolve. —Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024

Detroit Free Press William Roberts, a political animal who loved Walled Lake, his wife and serving the Lord with equal vigor, died Saturday after a long illness. —M.l. Elrick, Detroit Free Press, 5 Dec. 2024

That might explain why the Portland-via-Fort Lauderdale post-hardcore band performs with such extemporaneous vigor on Deep Sage, thrashing and flailing in a release of anger that trades blind rage for determined revenge. —Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 4 Dec. 2024

Ridley-Thomas and his supporters have approached his defense with the vigor and strategy of a political movement. —Matt Hamilton, Los Angeles Times, 21 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English vigour, from Anglo-French, from Latin vigor, from vigēre to be vigorous

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing vigor

• hybrid vigor
• vim and vigor

Kids Definition

vigor

noun

vig·​or ˈvig-ər 

1

: active strength or energy of body or mind

2

: active strength or force

Medical Definition

vigor

variants or chiefly British vigour

see hybrid vigor