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
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
For the most part, Ruth carries out her daily chores, and submits to the Brotherhood’s inflexible vision of domesticity.
—Hannah Gold, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2025
Generally, though, utilities such as Xcel Energy, Intermountain Power Agency and Tri-State Generation & Transmission are moving forward with plans to retire their coal plants, namely because the aging facilities are dirty, inefficient, inflexible and, most of all, no longer profitable.
—Jonathan Thompson, Denver Post, 5 Aug. 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
Kathryn Lancioni, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
For the most part, Ruth carries out her daily chores, and submits to the Brotherhood’s inflexible vision of domesticity.
—Hannah Gold, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2025
Generally, though, utilities such as Xcel Energy, Intermountain Power Agency and Tri-State Generation & Transmission are moving forward with plans to retire their coal plants, namely because the aging facilities are dirty, inefficient, inflexible and, most of all, no longer profitable.
—Jonathan Thompson, Denver Post, 5 Aug. 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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On the other hand, cooperative and validating communication can help when problems are minor or unchangeable.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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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
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While skinny jeans hug the body tightly from waist to leg, straight-leg jeans tend to be more rigid and fit slightly looser, especially through the lower part of the leg.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
21 Oct. 2025
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How underparenting is similar to other parenting styles As with slow parenting, underparenting doesn’t stick to a rigid routine—there is space to change plans and make space in their schedule for downtime.—
Alex Vance,
Parents,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Those strict security measures slowed down traffic and travelers and likely would not be welcome again.—
Cindy Von Quednow,
CNN Money,
23 Oct. 2025
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Loosening restrictions Chinese work visas generally come with strict, complex requirements and allow limited stays for a small group of high-end applicants who are sponsored by employers.—
Peter Guo,
NBC news,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Month over month, that would be the same stubborn pace that has persisted for more than two years.—
Steve Kopack,
NBC news,
24 Oct. 2025
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Results show that microbial iron mining can immobilize toxic metals and convert stubborn pollutants into less harmful compounds.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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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
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This dark energy, which Einstein labeled with the Greek letter lambda, has long been assumed to be unchanging and reliable through time.—
Rebecca Boyle,
Scientific American,
4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The company behind the iconic Roomba robotic vacuum has been watching its stock progressively slide since 2021 as its early success was overrun by stiff competition from Chinese rivals Anker, Ecovacs, and Roborock.—
Andrew Nusca,
Fortune,
28 Oct. 2025
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However, the Tigers will face stiff competition to land an elite coach, with Penn State and Florida already searching for a new head coach.—
Jordan Sigler,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The discovery of the solar cycle now moved Carrington to undertake a rigorous study of sunspots that soon earned him a reputation as Britain’s premier solar observer.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Oct. 2025
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Public markets offer transparency, governance, and liquidity; private firms, by contrast, often avoid periodic reporting and undergo less rigorous oversight.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Back in January 2024, when Sportico was first to report on Florida State’s conversations with Sixth Street and Arctos Partners, many around the process were adamant to point out that those conversations were private credit (or private capital), not private equity.—
Eben Novy-Williams,
Sportico.com,
22 Oct. 2025
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Giuffre was adamant that the pain, including several attempts at suicide in the past few years, was part of her story.—
Laura Trujillo,
USA Today,
22 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inflexible.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inflexible. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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