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Synonym Chooser

How is the word inflexible distinct from other similar adjectives?

The words rigid and stiff are common synonyms of inflexible. While all three words mean "difficult to bend," inflexible stresses lack of suppleness or pliability.

ski boots with inflexible soles

In what contexts can rigid take the place of inflexible?

The words rigid and inflexible are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, rigid applies to something so stiff that it cannot be bent without breaking.

a rigid surfboard

When might stiff be a better fit than inflexible?

The meanings of stiff and inflexible largely overlap; however, stiff may apply to any degree of this condition.

stretching keeps your muscles from becoming stiff

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inflexible
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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Those strict security measures slowed down traffic and travelers and likely would not be welcome again.
    Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Today’s flats are a far cry from the stiff styles of my childhood.
    Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 20 Oct. 2025
  • The branches are a bit stiffer and the branches kind of stick straight out, the tree might not be as natural looking as some others on the market.
    Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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

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Cite this Entry

“Inflexible.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inflexible. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on inflexible

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