Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
×

Thesaurus

rigid

adjective

Synonyms and Antonyms of rigid

1 not allowing for any exceptions or loosening of standards
  • rigid enforcement of drug laws
Synonyms of rigid

brassbound, exacting, inflexible, rigorous, strict, stringent, uncompromising
Words Related to rigid

close, conscientious, exact, fussy, meticulous, painstaking, punctilious, scrupulous, undeviating

adamant, adamantine, determined, dogged, firm, relentless, resolved, single-minded, steadfast, stubborn, tenacious, unbending, unflinching

immovable, implacable, unappeasable, unrelenting, unsparing, unyielding

austere, demanding, flinty, grim, hard, hardened, hard-hearted, harsh, severe, stern, tough
Near Antonyms of rigid

acquiescent, compliant, compromising, pliable, pliant, relenting, yielding

easy, easygoing, gentle, indulgent, kindly, lenient, merciful, mild, pampering, soft, spoiling, tolerant

neglectful, negligent, remiss, slipshod, sloppy, slovenly, unfussy
Antonyms of rigid

flexible, lax, loose, relaxed, slack
2 given to exacting standards of discipline and self-restraint
  • a rigid man who cannot seem to relax
Synonyms of rigid

austere, authoritarian, flinty, hard, harsh, heavy-handed, ramrod, rigorous, severe, stern, strict, tough
Words Related to rigid

demanding, exacting

uncharitable, unforgiving

adamant, callous, hardened, hard-hearted, hard-line, immovable, implacable, inflexible, merciless, pitiless, relentless, rock-ribbed, stiff, unbending, uncompromising, unrelenting, unsparing, unyielding

dour, gruff

ascetic (also ascetical), monastic, monkish

browbeating, bullying
Near Antonyms of rigid

easy, easygoing, laid-back, undemanding

charitable, kind, merciful, mild, patient, soft, softhearted

accepting, compromising, yielding

responsive, willing

acquiescent, agreeable, amenable, complaisant, compliant, flexible, pliable, pliant
Antonyms of rigid

clement, forbearing, gentle, indulgent, lax, lenient, tolerant
3 having a consistency that does not easily yield to pressure
  • rigid steel bars that should be able to hold the weight
Synonyms of rigid

compact, firm, hard, solid, stiff, unyielding
Words Related to rigid

case-hardened, compacted, compressed, hardened, indurated, stiffened, tempered

close, dense, heavy, thick, thickset

inelastic, inflexible, ramrod, unbending

compressed, condensed

adamantine, rocklike

sturdy, substantial

impenetrable, impermeable, nonporous
Near Antonyms of rigid

loose, scattered, thin

bendable, elastic, flexible, malleable, pliable, pliant, supple

droopy, flaccid, floppy, lank, limp, slack

airy, light

permeable, porous

ultrasoft
Antonyms of rigid

flabby, soft, spongy, squashy, squishy
4 incapable of or highly resistant to bending
  • the mineral that gives bone its rigid structure
Synonyms of rigid

inflexible, stiff, stiffened, unyielding
Words Related to rigid

inelastic

firm, hard, solid, sound, strong

nonelastic, nonmalleable
Near Antonyms of rigid

elastic, resilient, springy, stretchy, workable

malleable, plastic

droopy, flabby, flaccid, mushy, semisoft, soft, squashy, squishy

lank, limber, limp, lissome (also lissom), lithe, lithesome, willowy
Antonyms of rigid

flexible, floppy, pliable, pliant, supple, yielding
5 stretched with little or no give
  • Make sure that the clothesline is rigid so that the longer garments don't drag on the ground.
Synonyms of rigid

taut, tense, tight
Words Related to rigid

firm, inflexible, stiff, tightened, unrelaxed, unyielding
Near Antonyms of rigid

drooping, droopy, flaccid, floppy, hanging, lank, limp, loosened, relaxed, sagging, slackened, yielding

elastic, flexible, pliant, resilient, springy, stretchy, supple
Antonyms of rigid

lax, loose, slack

Synonym Discussion of rigid

rigid, rigorous, strict, stringent mean extremely severe or stern. rigid implies uncompromising inflexibility.
    • rigid rules of conduct
rigorous implies the imposition of hardship and difficulty.
    • the rigorous training of recruits
strict emphasizes undeviating conformity to rules, standards, or requirements.
    • strict enforcement of the law
stringent suggests severe, tight restriction or limitation.
    • stringent standards of admission

synonyms see in addition stiff

Learn More about rigid

  1. See words that rhyme with rigid Dictionary: Definition of rigid Medical Dictionary: Definition of rigid Spanish Central: Translation of rigid Nglish: Translation of rigid for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of rigid for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up rigid? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games