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
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
Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 24 Sep. 2025
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
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
Traditional chainmail suits were protective, but were inflexible and too heavy for surfing or diving.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 24 Sep. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for inflexibility
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inflexibility
Noun
-
Kp is an index used to indicate the severity of the global magnetic disturbances in near-Earth space, NOAA said.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Brain scans revealed the severity of the bleeds and whether patients showed signs of cerebral small vessel disease, a condition that damages tiny blood vessels in the brain and is linked to aging, high blood pressure and dementia.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
On the other hand, cooperative and validating communication can help when problems are minor or unchangeable.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
-
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
-
The next morning, Burgher parents—oblivious to the fighting that had broken out in the capital—had lined the walkways and cheered as their children filed into schools with pencils and notebooks and tense faces, some bravely managing a smile, others rigid with fear.—
George Packer,
The Atlantic,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The current electronic components (made of metals like titanium or rigid silicon) could lead to major challenges when implanted inside the human body.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Senior officials said that Medicare beneficiaries seeking coverage for GLP-1 drugs for obesity would have to meet strict eligibility criteria and that these would follow Make America Healthier Again principles to address chronic disease risk factors.—
Alice Park,
Time,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Beyond the major races, Democrats swept state Supreme Court contests in Pennsylvania and won ballot initiatives in Colorado and Maine, where voters approved gun safety measures and rejected stricter voter ID laws.—
Jesus Mesa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
That tone—of pain, of surprise, of a stubborn refusal to be reduced or diminished—is everywhere in it.—
Questlove,
The Atlantic,
7 Nov. 2025
-
If the stain is stubborn, add a few drops of dish soap to the water and vinegar mixture.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
This move has helped reduce weight and increase overall rigidity.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
7 Nov. 2025
-
The use of carbon-titanium materials supports both structural rigidity and visual elegance.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
In a world of constant updates, there’s still value in the unchanging.—
Kelly Ehlers,
Rolling Stone,
10 Nov. 2025
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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
Adjective
-
Next, in another bowl, whip the egg whites to stiff peaks.—
Kathryn Gregory,
Louisville Courier Journal,
10 Nov. 2025
-
The Chicago Cubs are bound to have stiff competition in the Kyle Tucker free agency sweepstakes this offseason.—
Zach Pressnell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inflexibility.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inflexibility. Accessed 15 Dec. 2025.
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