inelastic

adjective

in·​elas·​tic ˌi-nə-ˈla-stik 

: not elastic: such as

a

: inflexible, unyielding

b

: slow to react or respond to changing conditions

inelasticity

ˌi-ni-ˌla-ˈsti-s(ə-)tē 

(ˌ)i-ˌnē-ˌla-

noun

Examples of inelastic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Changes in demand greatly affect the price since supply is inelastic. — William Jones, Ascend Agency, 30 Jan. 2026

At the site, the team used a technique known as inelastic neutron scattering, that is defined as an event where neutrons lose or gain energy by transferring energy to form a sample. — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 17 Apr. 2026

That’s why oil demand is inelastic in the short term, noted Alan Gelder, head of refining, chemicals and oil markets research at Wood Mackenzie. — David Goldman, CNN Money, 3 June 2026

In an economy where consumers are deferring cars, housing renovations, and other big-ticket purchases, live experiences have almost turned into an inelastic good. — Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 2 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1748, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing inelastic

• inelastic collision
• inelastic scattering

Rhymes for inelastic

• anaplastic
• bioclastic
• fibroblastic
• hyperplastic
• hypoplastic
• lymphoblastic
• neoplastic
• orgiastic
• periphrastic
• predynastic
• pyroclastic
• superplastic

Kids Definition

inelastic

adjective

in·​elas·​tic ˌin-ə-ˈlas-tik 

: not elastic : slow to respond to changing conditions

inelasticity

ˌin-i-ˌlas-ˈtis-ət-ē 

noun

Medical Definition

inelastic

adjective

in·​elas·​tic ˌin-i-ˈlas-tik 

: not elastic

inelasticity

-i-ˌlas-ˈtis-ət-ē, -ˌē-ˌlas-, -ˈtis-tē 

noun

plural inelasticities