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
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Recent Examples of rigidity
So the researchers first stripped the wood of lignin, the component that gives it color and rigidity.
—
Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 12 Apr. 2026
As much as an institutional critique, Szpila has given us a parable on the dangers of fanaticism and the necessity of radicalism, and the obvious parallel between the rigidity of belief systems.
—Literary Hub, 9 Apr. 2026
And there’s this rigidity forming, too, which is worth fighting against.
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 3 Apr. 2026
Those dates were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and later canceled following Dion's 2022 diagnosis of stiff-person syndrome, a rare neurological disorder that includes rigidity and stiffness of certain areas of the body, causing unsteadiness, slower movements and difficulties walking.
—Shafiq Najib, ABC News, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rigidity
Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 12 Apr. 2026
As much as an institutional critique, Szpila has given us a parable on the dangers of fanaticism and the necessity of radicalism, and the obvious parallel between the rigidity of belief systems.
—Literary Hub, 9 Apr. 2026
And there’s this rigidity forming, too, which is worth fighting against.
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 3 Apr. 2026
Those dates were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and later canceled following Dion's 2022 diagnosis of stiff-person syndrome, a rare neurological disorder that includes rigidity and stiffness of certain areas of the body, causing unsteadiness, slower movements and difficulties walking.
—Shafiq Najib, ABC News, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rigidity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rigidity
severity
Noun
-
Trinidad and Tobago disputes the spill’s size and severity, saying only 10 barrels spilled on May 1 and were quickly contained.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 May 2026
-
Research shows a strong link between HS severity and metabolic factors like obesity and insulin resistance, which contribute to a chronic pro-inflammatory state.—
Lauryn Higgins,
Flow Space,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rigidity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rigidity. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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