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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of inflexibility
Alex Kirschenbaum, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Sep. 2025
However, the reality is that the inherent inflexibility of immutability is essential to ensuring business resiliency and provides the invaluable peace of mind that comes with knowing data will always be there, ready to be recovered, no matter what.
—David Bennett, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Kathryn Lancioni, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
For the most part, Ruth carries out her daily chores, and submits to the Brotherhood’s inflexible vision of domesticity.
—Hannah Gold, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inflexibility
Noun
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
However, the reality is that the inherent inflexibility of immutability is essential to ensuring business resiliency and provides the invaluable peace of mind that comes with knowing data will always be there, ready to be recovered, no matter what.
—David Bennett, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
Adaptability Is the New Stability Rigid, inflexible leadership structures are giving way to more fluid, responsive ways of leading.
—Kathryn Lancioni, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
For the most part, Ruth carries out her daily chores, and submits to the Brotherhood’s inflexible vision of domesticity.
—Hannah Gold, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inflexibility
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inflexibility
Noun
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Both a quarantine and blockade are similar in essence, though differ in personnel and severity.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
23 Oct. 2025
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Scientists have tried to artificially bolster Florida’s coral populations by rearing colonies in nurseries both onshore and offshore, but the success of these efforts will depend on the frequency and severity of future bleaching events, the report said.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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On the other hand, cooperative and validating communication can help when problems are minor or unchangeable.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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The State Department suspended processing applications from Americans seeking to update their passports with a new gender marker in January, shortly after President Trump signed an executive order proclaiming the U.S. recognizes only two unchangeable sexes, male and female.—
Brooke Migdon,
The Hill,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
While skinny jeans hug the body tightly from waist to leg, straight-leg jeans tend to be more rigid and fit slightly looser, especially through the lower part of the leg.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
21 Oct. 2025
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How underparenting is similar to other parenting styles As with slow parenting, underparenting doesn’t stick to a rigid routine—there is space to change plans and make space in their schedule for downtime.—
Alex Vance,
Parents,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Those strict security measures slowed down traffic and travelers and likely would not be welcome again.—
Cindy Von Quednow,
CNN Money,
23 Oct. 2025
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Loosening restrictions Chinese work visas generally come with strict, complex requirements and allow limited stays for a small group of high-end applicants who are sponsored by employers.—
Peter Guo,
NBC news,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Month over month, that would be the same stubborn pace that has persisted for more than two years.—
Steve Kopack,
NBC news,
24 Oct. 2025
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Results show that microbial iron mining can immobilize toxic metals and convert stubborn pollutants into less harmful compounds.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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So there was still a rigidity of behaving and conforming.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
23 Oct. 2025
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Removing the roof required a fair amount of engineering to ensure torsional rigidity, including strengthening the door sills, A-pillars, and adding cross-body braces.—
Sean Evans,
Robb Report,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Because that's what these young girls feel like when a boy walks into their locker room and starts unchanging in front of them.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
10 Oct. 2025
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This dark energy, which Einstein labeled with the Greek letter lambda, has long been assumed to be unchanging and reliable through time.—
Rebecca Boyle,
Scientific American,
4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The company behind the iconic Roomba robotic vacuum has been watching its stock progressively slide since 2021 as its early success was overrun by stiff competition from Chinese rivals Anker, Ecovacs, and Roborock.—
Andrew Nusca,
Fortune,
28 Oct. 2025
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However, the Tigers will face stiff competition to land an elite coach, with Penn State and Florida already searching for a new head coach.—
Jordan Sigler,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inflexibility.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inflexibility. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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