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Synonym Chooser

How is the word rigid distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of rigid are rigorous, strict, and stringent. While all these words mean "extremely severe or stern," rigid implies uncompromising inflexibility.

rigid rules of conduct

When would rigorous be a good substitute for rigid?

The synonyms rigorous and rigid are sometimes interchangeable, but rigorous implies the imposition of hardship and difficulty.

the rigorous training of recruits

When might strict be a better fit than rigid?

The words strict and rigid can be used in similar contexts, but strict emphasizes undeviating conformity to rules, standards, or requirements.

strict enforcement of the law

When could stringent be used to replace rigid?

Although the words stringent and rigid have much in common, stringent suggests severe, tight restriction or limitation.

stringent standards of admission

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 Mags spent high school in Costa Rica and went down a musical path, but found the experience to be too rigid. Hikmat Mohammed, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2025 Unlike rigid processes, pathways are living conduits. Scott Hutcheson, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025 View gallery - 5 images Consumer 3D printers definitely have their uses, but they're typically limited to printing rigid objects … and doing so pretty slowly. New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2025 Critics praised the game for its storytelling and overall aesthetic, but criticised its rigid stealth sections and technical issues, many of which have been fixed and adjusted since launch. Oliver Brandt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rigid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rigid
Adjective
  • Neville said he's noticed many boutique and family-run hotels, especially in high-demand spots like Dubrovnik, Prague, and Santorini, booking out earlier than ever, requiring full deposits up front, and enforcing strict cancellation policies.
    Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Jackets, ties, nylons and shoulder pads made a comeback, all in strict adherence to a dress code that hadn't been revised in decades.
    Darlin Tillery, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • That’s a tough dichotomy to bridge, but the new 2025 911 Carrera GTS achieves it brilliantly.
    Mark Phelan, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2025
  • The tough stainless steel loops are reinforced and designed to remain rust-free even after years of use, and a three number combination lock will be easy to remember and difficult to crack.
    Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • One of the most important goals is creating a society where everyone can have the ability to succeed through education, hard work, and entrepreneurship.
    Kristen Edgreen Kaufman, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Developed by AeroVironment, the 20kW LOCUST Laser Weapon System (LWS) identifies, tracks, and engages a wide variety of targets with hard-kill high energy laser.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • To do otherwise is to risk sales and careers at a time when traditional publishing is shedding jobs and faces stiff competition from new media.
    Kevin Dickinson, Big Think, 2 Sep. 2025
  • Anyone who’s accidentally purchased an especially stiff chair to flank a set of coffee tables knows first hand accounts are much better for assessing an accent chair’s prowess than staged imagery.
    Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • American Airlines passengers who have tight connections to make could benefit from a new tool that was just introduced in Phoenix.
    Michael Salerno, AZCentral.com, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Rising prices, high rates, and economic uncertainty are combining to keep many aspiring homeowners on the sidelines, while those looking for homes contend with intense competition and tight supply.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The 2025 World Beer Awards, known for their rigorous blind tastings, crowned Germany's Wolf Gang, a surprising black IPA from zum WØL BrauArt, as the top IPA.
    Brad Japhe, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
  • The study reports that all test results, including algorithm design, simulations, and flight data, underwent rigorous validation.
    Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Tanks rumbled through Tiananmen Square, a location that offered a stark reminder of how authoritarian states can violently crush democratic movements.
    Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
  • On Thursday morning, opposition party Vente Venezuela denounced the detention of Julio Velazco, a local activist involved with the campaign of Maria Corina Machado, the main opposition leader who is still in hiding after the authoritarian push that followed the election.
    Andrew Raine, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • These are available in five sizes, along with plenty of fun patterns, solid colors, and an all-black pack.
    Jacquelyn Smith, Parents, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Nina Energy turns scraps into solid biofuels and biochar.
    Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Rigid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rigid. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.

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