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
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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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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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
According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of Parkinson's disease include tremors, slowed movement, rigid muscles, poor posture and balance and loss of automatic movements.
—
Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 5 Aug. 2025
Some office chairs have traditional cloth or leather upholstery stretched over foam padding, while others include a synthetic mesh material stretched over a rigid frame.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2025
With its opaque rules and rigid customs, even the most conscientious traveler can put a foot wrong in Japan.
—Jessica Kozuka, Travel + Leisure, 2 Aug. 2025
On the other hand, vague explanations or rigid policies may suggest pay inequities, poor planning, or a top-down management structure.
—Kate Wieczorek, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for rigid
Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 5 Aug. 2025
Some office chairs have traditional cloth or leather upholstery stretched over foam padding, while others include a synthetic mesh material stretched over a rigid frame.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2025
With its opaque rules and rigid customs, even the most conscientious traveler can put a foot wrong in Japan.
—Jessica Kozuka, Travel + Leisure, 2 Aug. 2025
On the other hand, vague explanations or rigid policies may suggest pay inequities, poor planning, or a top-down management structure.
—Kate Wieczorek, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for rigid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rigid
Adjective
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The widespread destruction triggered stricter building codes across the state.—
Susannah Bryan,
Sun Sentinel,
16 Aug. 2025
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In addition to broadening Opinel's appeal in jurisdictions with strict regulations on locking knives, the Opiflex mechanism is designed to streamline blade opening and closing for fast, intuitive knife use.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Leaves harvested after flowering may be tough and bitter.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
14 Aug. 2025
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Even if increasing competition and financial obstruction have influenced summer recruitment, making this season’s challenges tougher, the confidence in Unai Emery and Villa’s football department remains unerring.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Sandoval has received some pay bumps, including a temporary $10,000-a-year bonus for Hawaii special education teachers designed to alleviate shortages in that and other hard-to-staff areas.—
Alia Wong,
USA TODAY,
14 Feb. 2023
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The five-year commemoration of that day is particularly hard for Jennifer, who usually shies away from talking publicly about her loss.—
Cindy Krischer Goodman,
Sun Sentinel,
13 Feb. 2023
Adjective
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Getting into the team will remain a stiff challenge, more so if and when Jacob Ramsey arrives from Aston Villa, albeit there will be four fronts to fight on this season and therefore more games.—
George Caulkin,
New York Times,
15 Aug. 2025
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And with everything from the AC blasting to stiff seating, a theater doesn’t always offer an inviting ambience.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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When culture starts performing alignment instead of living it, most companies reach for fixes: tighter messaging, new values, more playbooks.—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
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This one even comes with a synthetic cork cap that creates a tight seal and can be washed and reused along with the bottle.—
Emily Farris,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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While the certification was not specifically a result of litigation, pursuing rigorous, third-party validation of AI practices is increasingly viewed as an industry best practice.—
Marc Blythe,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
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Every insurance article is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of insurance products.—
Liz Knueven,
CNBC,
15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The interim government, formed shortly afterward under the leadership of Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, was widely hailed as a new chapter for Bangladesh: a chance to repair years of authoritarian rule, enforced disappearances, corruption and human rights abuses.—
Shamim Chowdhury,
NPR,
5 Aug. 2025
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For any authoritarian regime, political succession is a moment of peril, and for all its strengths, the CCP is no exception.—
TYLER JOST,
Foreign Affairs,
4 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Frank has also tinkered with the team’s structure out of possession, giving them a more solid base to press high up the pitch without as many holes.—
Elias Burke,
New York Times,
15 Aug. 2025
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Only plan and discuss exit when backed by solid data, research, and reports.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rigid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rigid. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
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