Synonyms of rigidity

rigidity

noun

rə-ˈji-də-tē 

as in severity

the quality or state of being demanding or unyielding (as in discipline or criticism)

sometimes the rigidity of the headmaster's discipline was deemed excessive by even much of the faculty

Synonyms & Similar Words

• severity
• rigidness
• inflexibility
• strictness
• sternness
• hardness
• stringency
• harshness
• rigorousness
• rigor
• exactingness
• obduracy
• implacability
• callousness
• gruffness
• steadfastness
• resolve
• pitilessness
• monasticism
• firmness
• obstinacy
• stubbornness
• determination
• dourness
• hard-heartedness
• asceticism
• obdurateness
• austerity
• austereness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• flexibility
• tolerance
• gentleness
• softness
• patience
• tenderness
• indulgence
• kindness
• laxness
• responsiveness
• willingness
• forbearance
• mildness
• compliance
• lenience
• pliability
• pliancy

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of rigidity

Rather, our rigidity around them is. —Devonne Goode, Parents, 27 Aug. 2025

In a role that increasingly demands diplomacy across cultural and political lines, his clarity emerged as problematic rigidity. —Rick Burton, Sportico.com, 21 Aug. 2025

But in a time defined by non-linear crises, a leader who defaults to habit and rigidity will only hold their organization back. —Lindsay Trout, Fortune, 19 Aug. 2025

In Stitch Fix’s early days, customers had one option – five items in a box at a recurring cadence with one discount mechanism – but these days, there’s less rigidity. —Gabrielle Fonrouge, CNBC, 11 Aug. 2025