as in severity
the quality or state of being demanding or unyielding (as in discipline or criticism)
the principal's inflexibility in matters of discipline is the stuff of school legend
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in unchangeable
not capable of changing or being changed
the inflexible law of gravity
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in rigid
incapable of or highly resistant to bending
shoes made of inflexible plastic hurt my feet
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in strict
not allowing for any exceptions or loosening of standards
inflexible entry rules for the contest ban anyone who works for the company as well as any of their relatives
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in stubborn
sticking to an opinion, purpose, or course of action in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion
her inflexible father was unmoved by tears and pleading, and he grounded her anyway
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of inflexibility
Shadi Hamid, Time, 3 Nov. 2025
An impressive defensive coach, he has occasionally been criticized for a certain regular season inflexibility in his rotations and overplaying his best contributors.
—Alex Kirschenbaum, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Sep. 2025
Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 27 Feb. 2026
The cats’ impending eviction turned them into campus celebrities, into what some saw as victims of an inflexible university bureaucracy.
—Dan Horn, Cincinnati Enquirer, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inflexibility
Noun
But there is also such a thing as being too good, where your own purity takes precedence over all else, leading to inflexibility and inaction.
—Shadi Hamid, Time, 3 Nov. 2025
An impressive defensive coach, he has occasionally been criticized for a certain regular season inflexibility in his rotations and overplaying his best contributors.
—Alex Kirschenbaum, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Sep. 2025
Adjective
And Trump’s inflexible immigration policies drive up the cost of labor and groceries.
—Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 27 Feb. 2026
The cats’ impending eviction turned them into campus celebrities, into what some saw as victims of an inflexible university bureaucracy.
—Dan Horn, Cincinnati Enquirer, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inflexibility
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inflexibility
Noun
-
Despite the severity of the South Carolina outbreak, Edwards considers the public health response a success.—
Tanya Lewis,
Scientific American,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The actual severity of any shortcomings at OpenAI and how far any weaknesses could spread remain open questions, Yardeni said.—
Rob Wile,
NBC news,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Policies Vary by Location As generous as Aldi’s approach can be, there are a few places where the rules are solid and unchangeable.—
Jessica Safavimehr,
Southern Living,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Most of these items can be purchased separately for a reasonable price, so focus more on the unchangeable aspects of the cage when choosing, such as size and accessibility.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Iris’ dreams of becoming an artist are impeded by her oppressive boss and rigid social structure of the 1850s.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
28 Apr. 2026
-
News articles and photos of the casual picnic enamored Americans, transforming their view of the royals as rigid and aristocratic to more down-to-earth.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
In a fireside chat with Sarah Jones, senior editor of strategic content at Sourcing Journal, Lewkowitz said the industry’s shift toward transparency is no longer optional, but a fundamental requirement for survival in a volatile climate and a stricter regulatory landscape.—
Arthur Zaczkiewicz,
Footwear News,
27 Apr. 2026
-
This could also open up the possibility that the organization could punish Sorsby for his gambling actions, given the NCAA has a very strict policy on betting.—
Trey Wallace OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Jared Speight is a stubborn titan of Long Island abstraction when star writer Roxy Margaux first becomes infatuated with his bravado.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
28 Apr. 2026
-
For concrete or tile, a mild cleaner helps remove the stubborn pollen film that builds up over spring months.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Some rigidity remains, and when the stimulation is turned off, the tremor returns within seconds.—
Ted Scouten,
CBS News,
20 Apr. 2026
-
So the researchers first stripped the wood of lignin, the component that gives it color and rigidity.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Through some creative circuitry, chip-scale EPR reverses this setup—using a simple magnet to create an unchanging field and sweeping through a band of oscillation frequencies.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The images are a clear demonstration of how Mars is far more geologically alive than our almost unchanging moon.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
In a mixing bowl beat egg whites until stiff peaks form (tips stand straight).—
Sarah Martens,
Better Homes & Gardens,
2 May 2026
-
Pasquantino has received different means of treatment to manage his stiff back.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inflexibility.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inflexibility. Accessed 4 May. 2026.
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