1
as in strict
not allowing for any exceptions or loosening of standards
rigid enforcement of drug laws
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in tough
given to exacting standards of discipline and self-restraint
a rigid man who cannot seem to relax
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in hard
having a consistency that does not easily yield to pressure
rigid steel bars that should be able to hold the weight
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4
as in stiff
incapable of or highly resistant to bending
corsets, those rigid undergarments for women, must have been murder to wear
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in tight
stretched with little or no give
make sure that the clothesline is rigid so that the longer garments don't drag on the ground
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rigid
Re/Essence offers both rigid and comfort stretch ecru and PFD fabrics.
—
Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 15 Oct. 2025
The tough-minded, rigid leadership style that worked during Welch’s era doesn’t fit the needs of modern leadership, especially for younger generations who value vulnerability, authenticity, and emotional intelligence.
—Sydney Lake, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2025
The ideas are complicated, but the overarching theme is that Denver’s scheme will be less rigid than before.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 10 Oct. 2025
Having a very rigid mindset is not helpful’ Banna confirms that Swift’s approach to eating in 2010 aligns with intuitive eating.
—Renée Onque, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rigid
Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 15 Oct. 2025
The tough-minded, rigid leadership style that worked during Welch’s era doesn’t fit the needs of modern leadership, especially for younger generations who value vulnerability, authenticity, and emotional intelligence.
—Sydney Lake, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2025
The ideas are complicated, but the overarching theme is that Denver’s scheme will be less rigid than before.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 10 Oct. 2025
Having a very rigid mindset is not helpful’ Banna confirms that Swift’s approach to eating in 2010 aligns with intuitive eating.
—Renée Onque, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rigid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rigid
Adjective
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Last month, Cupertino became the latest Bay Area city to impose strict restrictions on RVs parking on city streets, with both city councilmembers and residents referencing the bans elsewhere in their reasoning.—
Luis Melecio-Zambrano,
Mercury News,
16 Oct. 2025
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Prefer to set strict rules allotting only a handful of visitors each morning?—
Laura Dannen Redman,
Robb Report,
16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The end result of a tough negotiation that included a nearly two-week blackout of Disney channels on Charter in 2023 was a much closer working relationship between the two.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
11 Oct. 2025
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Just a week after giving birth, Menish took her six-hour Evidence exam from home in December 2023 — one of the toughest finals in the curriculum.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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That’s the beauty of the league — every play matters and every play is hard to execute.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Oct. 2025
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And help may be harder to find because some insurers no longer pay brokers commissions for new business.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
12 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Increase mixer speed to high, and beat until stiff peaks form, 3 to 4 minutes.—
Ivy Odom,
Southern Living,
14 Oct. 2025
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Symptoms of listeria infections depend on the person, but can include fever, flu-like symptoms, headache and stiff neck.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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That confusion is further reflected by the manic hyper-subjectivity of Bronstein’s filmmaking, which boxes Linda into a close-up so tight that everything around her — especially her unnamed daughter, who almost never appears on screen — might as well be a disembodied echo of her own anxiety.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
10 Oct. 2025
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Like Lawrence, Sam Darnold isn’t squeamish about passing into tight windows or risking an INT blemish.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Here’s how all four teams look heading into their Championship Series, along with some rigorous, confident analysis for each team.—
Grant Brisbee,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
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Whereas degree programs have to go through rigorous faculty and administrative oversight, which can take years, non-degree programs don’t require the same kind of oversight.—
Chris Quintana,
USA Today,
12 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Jorgen Watne Frydens, the Nobel Committee chair, spoke broadly about the advance of authoritarian regimes in the world and retreat of democracy in the announcement.—
Jon Haworth,
ABC News,
10 Oct. 2025
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Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, who turned 58 this week, has been awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for her unwavering efforts to promote democratic rights in a country plagued by authoritarian rule.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Dunbar’s speed presented problems for Benbrook’s defense, and Slater credited them for a well-rounded, solid performance.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Oct. 2025
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The back half of the New York Film Festival delivered a secret screening of a solid Academy Award contender, the box office smacked down a Venice Film Festival award winner, and two major contenders in the acting fields up and switched their categories.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
10 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rigid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rigid. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.
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