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
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Recent Examples of inflexibility
Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2025
Conversely, two-thirds of women who had flexibility in their hours planned to stay at their jobs up to five years, while less than 20% in inflexible positions said the same.
—Aisha Nyandoro, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025
However, severe, inflexible deformities that need aggressive bony carpentry to correct the spine’s alignment carry complication rates up to 60%, with major deformity surgeries posing a 1% mortality risk within a year.
—Richard Menger Md Mpa, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
Almost two-thirds of US workers struggle with volatile, inflexible work schedules, according to a new national Gallup survey, called the American Job Quality Study, published Tuesday.
—Kameryn Griesser, CNN Money, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for inflexibility
Adjective
Managers and board members of the two agencies said that the dispute persisted for years because of inflexible positions, but that negotiations over the last year made possible a comprehensive agreement.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2025
Conversely, two-thirds of women who had flexibility in their hours planned to stay at their jobs up to five years, while less than 20% in inflexible positions said the same.
—Aisha Nyandoro, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025
However, severe, inflexible deformities that need aggressive bony carpentry to correct the spine’s alignment carry complication rates up to 60%, with major deformity surgeries posing a 1% mortality risk within a year.
—Richard Menger Md Mpa, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
Almost two-thirds of US workers struggle with volatile, inflexible work schedules, according to a new national Gallup survey, called the American Job Quality Study, published Tuesday.
—Kameryn Griesser, CNN Money, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for inflexibility
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inflexibility
Noun
-
How Long Does Recovery From A Groin Strain Take? The recovery period depends on the grade and severity.—
Bruce Y. Lee,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
-
When comparing 80-degree Fahrenheit days to days in the 40s, there was a 40 to 45% increase in the frequency or severity of sleep apnea.—
Matthew Glasser,
ABC News,
30 June 2025
Adjective
-
The policy change was brought on by President Donald Trump’s executive order declaring that there are only two, unchangeable sexes, the VA said.—
Jo Yurcaba,
NBC News,
17 Mar. 2025
-
In his first weeks in office, President Donald Trump signed a series of executive orders targeting trans rights, including one stating the U.S. government would recognize only two unchangeable sexes and another barring trans people from military service.—
Brooke Sopelsa,
NBC news,
13 May 2025
Adjective
-
Unlike rigid anomaly detection models, LLMs have the capability of identifying unknown threats and can reduce false positives significantly.—
Karan Alang,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2025
-
The wall, which was built in the late 1990s and is 2,278 feet long, undulates instead of forming a rigid line.—
Jennie Rothenberg Gritz,
Smithsonian Magazine,
1 July 2025
Adjective
-
The rule requires refiners and fuel distributors to meet stricter emissions targets even as refineries close in a state that has long made its hostility to the oil and gas industry clear.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 July 2025
-
That’s not the strict definition of doxxing because the post did not give Butker’s address.—
Mike Hendricks,
Kansas City Star,
11 July 2025
Adjective
-
One of the people that is most stubborn in their support of these spendy projects is Senator Todd Young, a Republican from Indiana.—
Roger Valdez,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
-
For indoor brick, keep it simple by trying a slightly damp brush to sweep away stubborn dirt.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
29 June 2025
Noun
-
The rigidity or inflexibility of the curve directly influences the complexity of the surgery, with more rigid curves often requiring more extensive osteotomy bone cuts to achieve proper alignment.—
Richard Menger MD MPA,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
-
This mindset reflects a broader trend amongst younger professionals seeing stability not as rigidity but as flexibility to grow and thrive in dynamic environments.—
Glenn Llopis,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2025
Adjective
-
Published in 1915, and already widely accepted worldwide by physicists and mathematicians, the theory assumed the universe was static – unchanging, unmoving and immutable.—
Rob Coyne,
The Conversation,
10 June 2025
-
Life expectancy continues to climb while our economic and workplace systems remain stubbornly unchanging.—
Avivah Wittenberg-Cox,
Forbes.com,
8 May 2025
Adjective
-
During his outing, in which Strickland struck out one batter in a scoreless inning, the 36-year-old said the stiff sensation in his arm got worse, causing the IL stint.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 July 2025
-
Tackling mountain roads was a real treat in this AMG; steering response and weight were solid, and while too stiff in its most hardcore setting, damping made the experience wonderfully engaging and confidence-inspiring.—
Peter Nelson,
Forbes.com,
7 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inflexibility.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inflexibility. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.
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