1
as in unchangeable
not capable of changing or being changed
the inflexible law of gravity
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of inflexible
Inevitably there will be the school that has strict rules about what students can wear on campus—rules that might feel inflexible and restricting to a kid whose identity is still developing.
—
Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 29 July 2025
Many adults continue to be excluded from tertiary education due to barriers such as location, cost, or inflexible schedules.
—Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 26 July 2025
Yet our justice system treats them all the same, with inflexible, punitive responses that disproportionately harm Black youth, as former Secretary of Juvenile Services Vincent Schiraldi noted upon his resignation.
—Olivia Naugle, Baltimore Sun, 19 July 2025
Teaching them a new angle would require just a few days of coding work on most contemporary turbines, says Dabiri, but that was not an option for the relatively inflexible control systems running at Pincher Creek.
—IEEE Spectrum, 1 July 2019
See All Example Sentences for inflexible
Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 29 July 2025
Many adults continue to be excluded from tertiary education due to barriers such as location, cost, or inflexible schedules.
—Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 26 July 2025
Yet our justice system treats them all the same, with inflexible, punitive responses that disproportionately harm Black youth, as former Secretary of Juvenile Services Vincent Schiraldi noted upon his resignation.
—Olivia Naugle, Baltimore Sun, 19 July 2025
Teaching them a new angle would require just a few days of coding work on most contemporary turbines, says Dabiri, but that was not an option for the relatively inflexible control systems running at Pincher Creek.
—IEEE Spectrum, 1 July 2019
See All Example Sentences for inflexible
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inflexible
Adjective
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Many also treat their beliefs as a core and unchangeable aspect of their personality.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
-
On inauguration day in January, Trump declared through executive order that there are only two sexes, which are determined at conception and are unchangeable.—
Selena Simmons-Duffin,
NPR,
1 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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But these charmingly casual houses, many of them centuries old, come with a rigid spatial order that is antithetical to modern lifestyles.—
Joseph Giovannini,
Architectural Digest,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Market/compete If adhocracy is all about taking risks, and celebrating that effort even in failure, market/compete is much more rigid — the bottom line takes precedence.—
Julia Sullivan,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Neville said he's noticed many boutique and family-run hotels, especially in high-demand spots like Dubrovnik, Prague, and Santorini, booking out earlier than ever, requiring full deposits up front, and enforcing strict cancellation policies.—
Christopher Elliott,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
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Jackets, ties, nylons and shoulder pads made a comeback, all in strict adherence to a dress code that hadn't been revised in decades.—
Darlin Tillery,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Of all the bad-hair-day culprits, matted hair can be the most stubborn and frustrating.—
Grace McCarty,
Glamour,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Spills can be blotted (never rubbed) with a dry cloth since the fabric is non-absorptive, and for more stubborn stains, dry cleaning is recommended.—
Zoë Sessums,
Architectural Digest,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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An unchanging body map could be a huge boost for the emerging field of brain-computer interfaces, which can allow a paralyzed person to speak or move a robotic arm.—
Jon Hamilton,
NPR,
27 Aug. 2025
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Attackers see these rigid, unchanging patterns as roadmaps.—
Forrester,
Forbes.com,
21 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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To do otherwise is to risk sales and careers at a time when traditional publishing is shedding jobs and faces stiff competition from new media.—
Kevin Dickinson,
Big Think,
2 Sep. 2025
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Anyone who’s accidentally purchased an especially stiff chair to flank a set of coffee tables knows first hand accounts are much better for assessing an accent chair’s prowess than staged imagery.—
Kate McGregor,
Architectural Digest,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The 2025 World Beer Awards, known for their rigorous blind tastings, crowned Germany's Wolf Gang, a surprising black IPA from zum WØL BrauArt, as the top IPA.—
Brad Japhe,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
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The study reports that all test results, including algorithm design, simulations, and flight data, underwent rigorous validation.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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As such, Mahomes evidently not only is immune to complacency but actually has become more adamant with success.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
4 Sep. 2025
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After taking a year off to improve his health, Renfrow was adamant about playing for the Panthers.—
DIAMOND VENCES,
Charlotte Observer,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inflexible.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inflexible. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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