1
2
3
4
5

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 Your hair may feel rigid, wiry, or fibrous. Maggie Donahue, Health, 27 Sep. 2025 Basketball positions simply aren’t as rigid as those in football. Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 24 Sep. 2025 These silhouettes didn’t read as rigid or old-world. Essence, 24 Sep. 2025 Although trained to diagnose, Casey prefers to avoid rigid labels and instead identifies the root of imbalance psycho-individually, helping clients break free from limitations and constraints to step into deeper fulfillment, accountability, and higher consciousness. Matt Emma, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rigid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rigid
Adjective
  • The therapy will debut at Relive Health’s Stuart, Florida location, thanks to recent updates in Florida’s regulatory framework allowing advanced stem cell treatments under strict medical oversight.
    Nia Bowers, USA Today, 2 Oct. 2025
  • The weddings are planned by celebrity event stylist Slomique Hawrylo and adhere to a strict budget.
    Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Lammens was perhaps fortunate to escape sanction then (Stuart Atwell booked the forward for diving), but this was a valuable occasion ahead of tougher tests, beginning at Anfield.
    Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2025
  • There will be some tough picking in there, but typically the predicting business gets a little easier in region play.
    Tyler Palmateer, Nashville Tennessean, 4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Before referrals were halted, the effort that placed people at the Civic had already moved hard-to-reach homeless people from the street to a shelter space and, in many cases, then on to long-term housing and stability.
    Ashley Hiruko, ProPublica, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Whether the Jedi mind trick played a role Sunday is hard to quantify, but the message was obvious.
    Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Symptoms can be severe and include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions, sometimes following gastrointestinal symptoms.
    News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Beat heavy cream in a medium bowl with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form, 2 to 3 minutes.
    Sabrina Weiss, PEOPLE, 6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • So Rizza skipped the presentation format of the past in favor of a tight selection of one-on-one appointments, mostly with retailers.
    Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 3 Oct. 2025
  • And results have largely been mixed since Carson Wentz has taken over as the starter, winning a 48-10 blowout over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 3 and then losing a tight game in Ireland against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
    Reice Shipley, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The coins will undergo a rigorous conservation process before being given to local museums for public display, according to the company.
    Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 4 Oct. 2025
  • During a recent appearance on Vulture’s Good One podcast, the standup recalled prepping for the rigorous audition process for a year while doing improv and working day jobs in Chicago.
    Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The developments led Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela’s socialist and authoritarian leader, to threaten to declare a state of emergency earlier this week.
    Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 3 Oct. 2025
  • The book is a policy handbook meant to address the realities of political life following the turmoil of the French Revolution, presenting a Christian alternative to both the authoritarian secular liberalism and counterrevolutionary movements of the day.
    Indianapolis Star, IndyStar, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • SanDisk — The maker of solid state drives jumped 10%, adding to its massive gains.
    Fred Imbert, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Chris Copeland, Justin Copeland) Student Shorts With solid storytelling and emerging vision, these films represent a broad range of categories including live-action, narrative, documentary, and animation.
    Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 3 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rigid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rigid. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on rigid

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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