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
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
5 Jan. 2026
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
New Atlas,
30 May 2026
The resulting number tends to be inflexible and overly conservative.
—
ABC News,
26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for inflexibility
Noun
And many folks thought that that was a type of dogmatism and inflexibility that was not productive.
—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
5 Jan. 2026
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
Adjective
These dishes are powerful but also inflexible.
—
New Atlas,
30 May 2026
The resulting number tends to be inflexible and overly conservative.
—
ABC News,
26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for inflexibility
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inflexibility
Noun
-
In Guatire, in Miranda state, preliminary reports indicate that several people were injured, though the severity of the injuries and the exact number of those affected remain unclear.
-
Too much of it can cause brain damage, and pediatricians must regularly check for bilirubin in newborns to measure the severity of the jaundice and determine whether the child needs treatment.
Noun
-
The rigidity and delusions of tyrannies are incorrigible; their purity spirals end in executions, not just cancellations; their adventures end in devastation and slaughter.
-
But what struck me beyond his (to my mind) rigidity about roles was that his response to the disagreement was to shut down and refuse to talk to her.
Cite this Entry
“Inflexibility.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inflexibility. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
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