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
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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
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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of inflexible
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
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
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
Jonathan Thompson, Denver Post, 5 Aug. 2025
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
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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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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The paper identifies further causes of the continent’s growth problem as the EU’s relatively high energy prices, rigid employment regulations, and a general lack of corporate dynamism and entrepreneurship.—
Alden Abbott,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
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Instead, a single rigid substrate integrates everything in one strong, precise piece.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Without a strict hierarchy or single decision-maker, our process can sometimes be slow, messy, or even tiring.—
Caterina De Biasio,
Vogue,
11 Sep. 2025
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At too many colleges, leaders have been reluctant to impose strict rules or harsh penalties for chatbot use, passing the buck to professors to come up with their own policies.—
Tyler Austin Harper,
The Atlantic,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Viewers were quick to point out the hilarity of the dog's stubborn protest, with many suggesting that the dachshund had already claimed permanent rights to the bed.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
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The stubborn myth that Jews are too safe to be targets is colliding with a painful new reality.—
Andrew Weinstein,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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For decades, scientists have considered the moon a dead world—a silent, unchanging landscape where nothing stirs.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Sep. 2025
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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
Adjective
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These two were working very stiff, including a gnarly pair of double-knees by Stephanie Vaquer to Kairi Sane.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
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The bristles are neither too floppy nor too stiff, neither too long nor too short, and are cut to the perfect rounded shape that’s just right for swirling pigment over the apples or spreading it along your cheekbones—without having to work too hard for a completely natural finish.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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For the next six years, Kira endured a rigorous drug treatment regime and was frequently in and out of hospitals.—
Ruchi Kumar,
NPR,
14 Sep. 2025
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During a break in the rigorous shooting schedule for the limited series, which also stars Emma Corrin and Jack Lowden, Partridge was able to squeeze in the trip with old college friends.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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However, her mother is adamant about keeping the canine off the antique chair.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Sep. 2025
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Sandlin was adamant that his engineering team has done everything possible to ensure no adverse impact to neighboring properties.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inflexible.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inflexible. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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