1
as in strict
not allowing for any exceptions or loosening of standards
rigid enforcement of drug laws
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of rigid
Selen Baltaci, Calik’s marketing manager, said the rigid and comfort stretch fabrics are a return to traditional craftsmanship.
—
Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 9 Sep. 2025
And then, there was the 1935 crash of the USS Macon, a rigid airship filled with helium.
—A.k. Whitney, Oc Register, 9 Sep. 2025
But Sunday provided an example of how Payton is too rigid, making Nix do too much heavy lifting.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 8 Sep. 2025
Inside, the bag has a mesh zipper compartment with compression straps on one side and a rigid divider with organizational pockets on the other.
—Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 7 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rigid
Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 9 Sep. 2025
And then, there was the 1935 crash of the USS Macon, a rigid airship filled with helium.
—A.k. Whitney, Oc Register, 9 Sep. 2025
But Sunday provided an example of how Payton is too rigid, making Nix do too much heavy lifting.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 8 Sep. 2025
Inside, the bag has a mesh zipper compartment with compression straps on one side and a rigid divider with organizational pockets on the other.
—Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 7 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rigid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rigid
Adjective
-
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
-
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
-
The backcourt duo of Courtney Williams and Natisha Hiedeman, also known as the StudBudz, are shifty, tough shot-making guards who can get hot in a hurry.—
Nathan Canilao,
Mercury News,
13 Sep. 2025
-
And that’s tough on those guys.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Consider how closed captioning, originally developed for deaf and hard-of-hearing users, now benefits millions in noisy environments or when audio isn't available.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Just hard to think that’ll happen coming off the Jacksonville blowout.—
Mike Kaye,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The company is facing stiff opposition from dozens of California nonprofits, labor unions, and philanthropies as well as investigations from both the California and Delaware attorney generals.—
Jeremy Kahn,
Fortune,
9 Sep. 2025
-
With the competition stiffer than ever, 26 people dropped off The Forbes 400 this year, including the cofounder and former CEO of Uber Travis Kalanick and wellness products billionaire Frank VanderSloot, both of whom saw their fortunes hold steady while others passed them by.—
Chase Peterson-Withorn,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Credit spreads are at their tightest in about 20 years, meaning there is little difference in yields between corporate bonds compared to government bonds.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
12 Sep. 2025
-
The project, created under tight deadlines and with hobby-grade parts, is now on track for wider military use.—
Kapil Kajal,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
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
-
Now, the same institutions once intimidated by authoritarian power have declared that a former commander-in-chief conspired to revoke the 2022 election, assassinate rivals, and eventually unleash street chaos to hold on to power.—
Julia Vargas Jones,
CNN Money,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Ray's father was a dissenter who was executed by the Major himself for his outspoken anti-authoritarian views, and Ray wants revenge.—
Megan McCluskey,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
And when the second half started, Gay couldn’t turn a solid Commanders drive into three more points, banging the ball off the right goal post.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
12 Sep. 2025
-
The company's portfolio includes solid rocket motors (SRMs) ranging from 2 inches to 22 inches in diameter for missiles like the Stinger, Javelin, and air-defense interceptors.—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rigid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rigid. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share