Synonyms of inflexible

inflexible

adjective

(ˌ)in-ˈflek-sə-bəl 

1

as in unchangeable

not capable of changing or being changed

the inflexible law of gravity

Synonyms & Similar Words

• unchangeable
• unchanging
• fixed
• invariable
• unalterable
• immutable
• steadfast
• hard-and-fast
• determinate
• inalterable
• constant
• established
• steady
• stable
• changeless
• unvarying
• incommutable
• immovable
• unaltered
• unmovable
• settled
• set

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• flexible
• variable
• elastic
• changeable
• adaptable
• adjustable
• uncertain
• unstable
• mutable
• alterable
• fickle
• varying
• unsettled
• plastic
• pliable
• inconstant
• fluctuating
• pliant
• supple
• willowy

2

as in rigid

incapable of or highly resistant to bending

shoes made of inflexible plastic hurt my feet

Synonyms & Similar Words

• rigid
• stiff
• stiffened
• brittle
• solid
• unyielding
• strong
• hard
• dense
• compact
• sound
• inelastic
• crisp
• substantial
• firm
• arthritic
• rheumatic
• nonelastic
• nonmalleable

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• flexible
• pliable
• floppy
• elastic
• pliant
• workable
• resilient
• supple
• yielding
• malleable
• stretchy
• plastic
• springy
• soft
• flabby
• flaccid
• semiflexible
• mushy
• squishy
• droopy
• squashy
• limp
• willowy
• limber
• lithe
• lank
• lissome
• lithesome
• lissom
• semisoft

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

• strict
• rigorous
• rigid
• stringent
• uncompromising
• exacting
• steadfast
• hard-line
• adamant
• conscientious
• cast-iron
• meticulous
• stubborn
• unbending
• relentless
• punctilious
• undeviating
• scrupulous
• tenacious
• brassbound
• tough
• exact
• painstaking
• unflinching
• implacable
• unyielding
• fussy
• adamantine
• immovable
• close
• harsh
• determined
• resolved
• unrelenting
• dogged
• severe
• single-minded
• stern
• hardened
• firm
• austere
• demanding
• unsparing
• hard
• grim
• unappeasable
• flinty
• hard-hearted
• ironbound

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• flexible
• loose
• lax
• slack
• relaxed
• compliant
• pliable
• easy
• pliant
• acquiescent
• soft
• lenient
• gentle
• mild
• yielding
• tolerant
• merciful
• indulgent
• easygoing
• kindly
• negligent
• compromising
• sloppy
• slovenly
• neglectful
• slipshod
• relenting
• remiss
• spoiling
• pampering
• unfussy

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

• stubborn
• adamant
• steadfast
• hardened
• unbending
• intransigent
• obstinate
• uncompromising
• implacable
• unyielding
• obdurate
• immovable
• wilful
• obsessive
• hard
• ossified
• unrelenting
• opinionated
• bullheaded
• mulish
• willful
• strict
• adamantine
• headstrong
• hardheaded
• pertinacious
• perverse
• persistent
• pigheaded
• dogged
• rigid
• pat
• determined
• hard-nosed
• stiff-necked
• self-willed
• relentless
• inconvincible
• self-opinionated
• iron
• deaf to reason
• stern
• inexorable
• tenacious
• wrongheaded
• severe
• unflinching
• hidebound
• resolved
• defiant
• uncooperative
• wayward
• hard-line
• cantankerous
• unmanageable
• narrow-minded
• intractable
• firm
• contrary
• single-minded
• recalcitrant
• disobedient
• stouthearted
• hard-shell
• anal-retentive
• refractory
• unruly
• contumacious
• insubordinate
• mutinous
• ungovernable
• indomitable
• invincible
• unconquerable
• demanding
• bloody-minded
• hard-shelled
• exacting
• set
• insurgent
• hell-bent
• inveterate
• cussed
• froward
• confirmed
• unregenerate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• flexible
• compliant
• amenable
• pliable
• agreeable
• pliant
• complying
• acquiescent
• obedient
• docile
• submissive
• yielding
• tractable
• responsive
• receptive
• willing
• accepting
• reasonable
• manageable
• placable
• relenting
• temperate
• slavish
• subservient
• persuadable
• governable

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

Examples of inflexible in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Meanwhile, rigid thinking is linked to worse mental health (and humans tend to get more mentally inflexible after childhood). —Matt Fuchs, TIME, 1 Aug. 2024

Currently, these systems are often inflexible, vulnerable to disruptions and environmentally unsustainable. —Junaid Ali, Forbes, 16 Aug. 2024

But the reality today is that the State Department simply cannot afford to continue its bad habits of offering inflexible career tracks, imposing self-defeating hiring constraints, and encouraging tribal inbreeding among its cloistered ranks. —William J. Burns, Foreign Affairs, 23 Sep. 2020

The dryer balls are sturdy and inflexible, even after a cycle in the dryer, which our tester took as a sign of long-term durability. —Lizzy Briskin, Peoplemag, 29 July 2024