1
as in strict
not allowing for any exceptions or loosening of standards
rigid enforcement of drug laws
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in tough
given to exacting standards of discipline and self-restraint
a rigid man who cannot seem to relax
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in hard
having a consistency that does not easily yield to pressure
rigid steel bars that should be able to hold the weight
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4
as in stiff
incapable of or highly resistant to bending
corsets, those rigid undergarments for women, must have been murder to wear
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in tight
stretched with little or no give
make sure that the clothesline is rigid so that the longer garments don't drag on the ground
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rigid
Possibly a less rigid rule Conn Maciel Carey, a law firm representing employers in OSHA inspections, investigations and enforcement actions posted on their blog that a federal heat rule is unlikely to cross the finish line over the next four years — at least as now drafted.
—
Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2025
The rigid grid contrasts with the soft seat for a gallery-worthy visual contradiction that will elevate your space—and likely spark some good-natured debate over its polarizing merits.
—Rachel Gallaher, Robb Report, 20 Apr. 2025
How the continents formed Earth’s uppermost layer, the lithosphere, is made up of the rigid crust and the top part of the mantle, which is in a denser, but more fluid state.
—Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 18 Apr. 2025
Marsh often felt the sting of growing up lower class in Britain’s rigid class hierarchy.
—Victoria Edel, People.com, 13 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rigid
Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2025
The rigid grid contrasts with the soft seat for a gallery-worthy visual contradiction that will elevate your space—and likely spark some good-natured debate over its polarizing merits.
—Rachel Gallaher, Robb Report, 20 Apr. 2025
How the continents formed Earth’s uppermost layer, the lithosphere, is made up of the rigid crust and the top part of the mantle, which is in a denser, but more fluid state.
—Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 18 Apr. 2025
Marsh often felt the sting of growing up lower class in Britain’s rigid class hierarchy.
—Victoria Edel, People.com, 13 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rigid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rigid
Adjective
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So Read, a 56-year-old sexologist and writer based in Calgary, Canada, developed a strict sleep and bedtime routine.—
Erica Sweeney,
SELF,
18 Apr. 2025
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Augusta National Golf Club, where the tournament takes place each April, has a strict no cell phone and cameras rule during the four days of official competition.—
Jessica Radloff,
Glamour,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Four times, he’s used it to strikeout hitters, with the horizontal break being tough to pick up.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
28 Apr. 2025
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However, the emotional side of living with the inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can be just as tough.—
Caitlin Carlson,
SELF,
28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Sandoval has received some pay bumps, including a temporary $10,000-a-year bonus for Hawaii special education teachers designed to alleviate shortages in that and other hard-to-staff areas.—
Alia Wong,
USA TODAY,
14 Feb. 2023
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For extra reliability, choose a suitcase with a hard shell crafted from either polycarbonate or aluminum.—
Austa Somvichian-Clausen,
Travel + Leisure,
13 Feb. 2023
Adjective
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The point in this rally is to encourage our judiciary to deliver stiff sentences when animal cruelty has been committed, and solid evidence has been presented.—
Arick Wierson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Apr. 2025
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After tariffs were unveiled earlier this month, the market went into a steep sell-off until Trump issued a 90-day pause on the stiff rates for most countries.—
Sean Conlon,
CNBC,
16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Tour demands that players lift up their floors — and flaws — in tight moments.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2025
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For smaller companies or those operating with tight budgets, these costs can seem prohibitive, especially when the return on investment (ROI) is uncertain or far beyond the headlights.—
Tim Houlne,
Forbes.com,
28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Every personal finance article is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of personal finance products.—
Keagan Ostop,
CNBC,
18 Apr. 2025
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Although seeking refugee protection might come to mind, qualifying for refugee protection involves a complex, rigorous process that involves meeting a multi-pronged legal test.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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His parents were Italian immigrants who fled Benito Mussolini’s fascist regime, and his grandmother Rosa Margherita Vassallo di Bergoglio was active in Catholic Action, formed by Italian bishops who wanted to maintain their independence from Mussolini’s authoritarian rule.—
Olivia B. Waxman,
Time,
21 Apr. 2025
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Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban has been called an authoritarian, and previous reports have noted restrictions to civil liberties.—
Graham Smith,
NPR,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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It’s also cleverly engineered to do double duty: compost solid scraps and collect compost tea, a potent liquid fertilizer prized by plant lovers.—
Bailey Berg,
Architectural Digest,
17 Apr. 2025
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Center Cooper Beebe provided solid reliability in his rookie season, but how far does his ceiling reach?—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
17 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rigid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rigid. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
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