rigidity
noun
ri·gid·i·ty
rə-ˈji-də-tē 
plural rigidities
1
: the quality or state of being rigid
2
: one that is rigid (as in form or conduct)
Synonyms
Examples of rigidity in a Sentence
sometimes the rigidity of the headmaster's discipline was deemed excessive by even much of the faculty
Recent Examples on the Web
Whether there's the political will to address this crisis, however, remains uncertain, given the rigidity of HIV-era regulations and the invisibility of patients at risk.
—
Simar Bajaj, NPR, 11 Apr. 2024
Even with better model data and software guardrails, the fluidity of human existence can evade the rigidity of algorithmic categorization.
—Reece Rogers, WIRED, 2 Apr. 2024
Ribicoff, the son of Jewish immigrants from Poland, became a role model and taught him, Mr. Lieberman wrote, the value of compromise over unproductive rigidity.
—Michael H. Brown, Washington Post, 27 Mar. 2024
The radical precision of Kant’s thought comes off as a product of the radical precision (or absurd rigidity) of his habits, which Collin nonetheless loads with pathos—as representing a quest for mental purity via the secular mortification of physicality.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 19 Mar. 2024
Recent contract extensions for young ball players have prioritized flexibility over rigidity.
—Wayne G. McDonnell, Jr., Forbes, 13 Feb. 2024
The ancient women had greater humeral rigidity than modern women.
—Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 9 Feb. 2024
The musical turns the tenets of evangelicalism on its head, mocking the rigidity of modesty and purity culture.
—Brittani Samuel, Washington Post, 20 Mar. 2024
In that altered state of consciousness, any sense of rigidity and hierarchy is relaxed.
—Jennifer Chesak, Verywell Health, 14 Mar. 2024
Simar Bajaj, NPR, 11 Apr. 2024
Even with better model data and software guardrails, the fluidity of human existence can evade the rigidity of algorithmic categorization.
—Reece Rogers, WIRED, 2 Apr. 2024
Ribicoff, the son of Jewish immigrants from Poland, became a role model and taught him, Mr. Lieberman wrote, the value of compromise over unproductive rigidity.
—Michael H. Brown, Washington Post, 27 Mar. 2024
The radical precision of Kant’s thought comes off as a product of the radical precision (or absurd rigidity) of his habits, which Collin nonetheless loads with pathos—as representing a quest for mental purity via the secular mortification of physicality.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 19 Mar. 2024
Recent contract extensions for young ball players have prioritized flexibility over rigidity.
—Wayne G. McDonnell, Jr., Forbes, 13 Feb. 2024
The ancient women had greater humeral rigidity than modern women.
—Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 9 Feb. 2024
The musical turns the tenets of evangelicalism on its head, mocking the rigidity of modesty and purity culture.
—Brittani Samuel, Washington Post, 20 Mar. 2024
In that altered state of consciousness, any sense of rigidity and hierarchy is relaxed.
—Jennifer Chesak, Verywell Health, 14 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rigidity.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near rigidity
Cite this Entry
“Rigidity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rigidity. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
rigidity
noun
ri·gid·i·ty
rə-ˈjid-ət-ē
plural rigidities
: the quality or state of being rigid: as
a
: abnormal stiffness of muscle
muscle rigidity symptomatic of Parkinson's disease—Diane Gershon
Diane Gershon
b
: emotional inflexibility and resistance to change
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