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Synonym Chooser

How is the word rigid distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of rigid are rigorous, strict, and stringent. While all these words mean "extremely severe or stern," rigid implies uncompromising inflexibility.

rigid rules of conduct

When would rigorous be a good substitute for rigid?

The synonyms rigorous and rigid are sometimes interchangeable, but rigorous implies the imposition of hardship and difficulty.

the rigorous training of recruits

When might strict be a better fit than rigid?

The words strict and rigid can be used in similar contexts, but strict emphasizes undeviating conformity to rules, standards, or requirements.

strict enforcement of the law

When could stringent be used to replace rigid?

Although the words stringent and rigid have much in common, stringent suggests severe, tight restriction or limitation.

stringent standards of admission

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of rigid Minority languages were banned in schools, tribal leaders were silenced, and communities were pressured to abandon their heritage and conform to a rigid Persian identity. Jila Andalib, Hartford Courant, 28 July 2025 The future of higher education may not be limited by physical campuses, rigid schedules, or national boundaries. Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 26 July 2025 Aerogels are more rigid than hydrogels, so both liquid water and water vapor can be transported through their pores, and the only thing that previously held these materials back was their tendency to perform less efficiently as they were scaled up. Elizabeth Rayne, ArsTechnica, 26 July 2025 But networks and audiences were still figuring out what this genre was going to be, in an era still dominated by broadcast networks and their rigid TV schedules and seasons. Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 22 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for rigid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rigid
Adjective
  • For example, in sales, if a customer wants a certain number of licenses but has a strict budget, an agent can help figure out the best deal by looking at things like license count, budget limits and different contract lengths (like one-, two- or three-year terms).
    Ian Gotts, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
  • Anna Marson, a former Tuscany regional minister who now teaches urban planning at a university in Venice, was closely involved in putting forward a plan to impose stricter environmental regulations on the region’s marble quarries in 2014.
    Meara Sharma, The Dial, 22 July 2025
Adjective
  • The tougher policy changes are adding to the minors’ trauma, advocates say.
    Nicol León, AZCentral.com, 22 July 2025
  • Stellantis' loss, versus a 5.6 billion euro net profit a year earlier, underscores the tough challenges for new CEO Antonio Filosa, who was appointed in May after a disastrous performance in the company's crucial U.S. market in 2024 forced the ouster of former boss Carlos Tavares.
    Giulio Piovaccari, Freep.com, 21 July 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • The five-year commemoration of that day is particularly hard for Jennifer, who usually shies away from talking publicly about her loss.
    Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2023
Adjective
  • Meanwhile, beat cream and powdered sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form, 2 to 4 minutes.
    Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 20 July 2025
  • This in turn can boost the blood flow, speed up healing, and helps ease discomfort in stiff joints.
    Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 July 2025
Adjective
  • But the party was especially focused on reforming public finance, calling for strict economy in expenditures and even tighter limits on taxation.
    Joseph Thorndike, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
  • Kick your legs in small up-and-down fluttering motions while keeping your lower back flat and abs tight throughout.
    Jakob Roze, Health, 21 July 2025
Adjective
  • Ozzy Osbourne shared 3 children with first wife Thelma Riley The father of six children over two marriages, Osbourne has been vocal about how rigorous touring and alcohol use affected his family life.
    Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 23 July 2025
  • The 22-year-old flew to the United States and went through the DCC’s rigorous tryouts, eventually becoming one of six new rookies to join the 36-member squad, out of thousands who auditioned.
    Sean Neumann, People.com, 22 July 2025
Adjective
  • While Western democracies debate environmental reviews and grid reliability, authoritarian systems can rapidly direct energy flows to computing infrastructure.
    Güney Yıldız, Forbes.com, 25 July 2025
  • North Korea is under sanctions from the United States — as well as the United Nations and several other countries — largely in response to the isolated authoritarian state's weapons programs.
    Alana Wise, NPR, 25 July 2025
Adjective
  • Yeah, that’s because Danny is a really nice, solid guy who usually has everyone’s back.
    Brian Moylan, Vulture, 23 July 2025
  • These meteors are relatively faint, without persistent trains or fireballs, but there will be solid chances of seeing this shower during the early morning hours this year.
    Maia Pandey, jsonline.com, 23 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Rigid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rigid. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.

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