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
Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY, 17 Mar. 2025
Excessive workloads, inflexible hours, and constant connectivity erode mental health, and no amount of lunchtime yoga can make up for that.
—Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
Many other barriers slow innovation and competitiveness in Europe much more than regulations do: the continent’s fragmented digital single market, lack of deep and integrated capital markets, restrictive immigration policies, inflexible labor markets, and risk-averse entrepreneurial culture.
—Anu Bradford, Foreign Affairs, 21 Apr. 2025
What Maryland public school systems need is not the inflexible conformity demanded by such plans.
—Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 13 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inflexibility
Adjective
Make sure all backup data is encrypted and inflexible.
—Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY, 17 Mar. 2025
Excessive workloads, inflexible hours, and constant connectivity erode mental health, and no amount of lunchtime yoga can make up for that.
—Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
Many other barriers slow innovation and competitiveness in Europe much more than regulations do: the continent’s fragmented digital single market, lack of deep and integrated capital markets, restrictive immigration policies, inflexible labor markets, and risk-averse entrepreneurial culture.
—Anu Bradford, Foreign Affairs, 21 Apr. 2025
What Maryland public school systems need is not the inflexible conformity demanded by such plans.
—Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 13 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inflexibility
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inflexibility
Noun
-
Vaccinations remain the best way to prevent coronavirus infection and lower the risk of subsequent long COVID by reducing the severity of the initial infection and immune response.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 May 2025
-
The difference between a tropical storm and a hurricane comes down to wind speed, the most important factor in determining the severity of a storm and its classification.—
Ann Abel,
AFAR Media,
26 May 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
But these unchangeable circumstances don't stop military spouses from taking charge of their own lives.—
Grace Harrington,
People.com,
9 May 2025
Adjective
-
For boys, this issue is compounded by rigid ideas about masculinity that discourage emotional and physical closeness.—
Ashleigh N. DeLuca,
Parents,
29 May 2025
-
Mature systems progress from rigid, bespoke solutions to agile solutions that evolve with business needs.—
Kyle Campos,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
Adjective
-
Under the measure's broad scope and strict distance limits, few areas in Ohio would remain open to such purchases.—
Mandy Taheri,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 May 2025
-
Revolutionary fervor and strict moral codes reshaped film, censoring depictions of gender, modern lifestyles, and social realities.—
Ali Farahmand,
IndieWire,
23 May 2025
Adjective
-
Still, the stubborn media silence continued unabated.—
Nate Rogers,
Vulture,
22 May 2025
-
United needed to play perfect football to unlock a stubborn defence, but struggled to push past competency.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
Noun
-
These organizations can surface insights faster, adapt more smoothly and avoid the rigidity that often leads to systemic stagnation.—
Rob Robinson,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
-
Ultimately, the challenge lies in overcoming institutional rigidity to mobilize the vast potential of the multilateral system to bridge crucial financing gaps.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 May 2025
Adjective
-
On top of this, REITs can change their investment strategy annually, making the investment journey anything but steady and unchanging.—
Chay Lapin,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2025
-
The animation in short films up until that point had been silly, vaudeville-inflected; mostly featuring animals because humans were too hard to draw in an appealing way — mostly with static and unchanging expressions, on flat, simplistic backgrounds.—
Constance Grady,
Vox,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The Verdict Lord Howe Island might very well be one of the most special places on planet Earth—and that’s some stiff competition.—
Christopher Cameron,
Robb Report,
22 May 2025
-
What might’ve remained two camps in stiff politeness became a collective.—
Sara Hussain,
Vogue,
22 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inflexibility.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inflexibility. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
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