as in strictly
without any relaxation of standards or precision
the judge stuck rigidly to the letter of the law
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Recent Examples of rigidly
Rudd’s natural air of genial tension, of neurosis without an edge, plays into his character’s rigidly disciplined but relentlessly upbeat domesticity.
—
Richard Brody, New Yorker, 29 May 2026
Each focuses on the love stories of specific couples, but while the show doesn’t follow the books’ format rigidly, all the beloved characters are present.
—Jennifer McClellan, USA Today, 17 May 2026
In China's rigidly hierarchical world of diplomacy, protocol and ceremony carry weight.
—ABC News, 12 May 2026
Magyar’s campaign has been rigidly domestic.
—Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 12 Apr. 2026
Now, when a ball-strike call is challenged, the strike zone will be rigidly defined based on a batter’s height.
—Juliette Arcodia, NBC news, 24 Mar. 2026
Handling has been sharpened by rigidly mounting the rear subframe and reworking the Bilstein dampers.
—Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 25 Feb. 2026
American parents, who can sometimes, though certainly not always, adhere rigidly to strict sleep-training schedules may miss out on this more flexible style of family life.
—Katrina Donham, Parents, 25 Feb. 2026
This means that repeating the same few steps can be more effective than rigidly adhering to a set bedtime.
—Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 16 Feb. 2026
Richard Brody, New Yorker, 29 May 2026
Each focuses on the love stories of specific couples, but while the show doesn’t follow the books’ format rigidly, all the beloved characters are present.
—Jennifer McClellan, USA Today, 17 May 2026
In China's rigidly hierarchical world of diplomacy, protocol and ceremony carry weight.
—ABC News, 12 May 2026
Magyar’s campaign has been rigidly domestic.
—Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 12 Apr. 2026
Now, when a ball-strike call is challenged, the strike zone will be rigidly defined based on a batter’s height.
—Juliette Arcodia, NBC news, 24 Mar. 2026
Handling has been sharpened by rigidly mounting the rear subframe and reworking the Bilstein dampers.
—Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 25 Feb. 2026
American parents, who can sometimes, though certainly not always, adhere rigidly to strict sleep-training schedules may miss out on this more flexible style of family life.
—Katrina Donham, Parents, 25 Feb. 2026
This means that repeating the same few steps can be more effective than rigidly adhering to a set bedtime.
—Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 16 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rigidly
Adverb
-
The current taproom will become strictly a space for production, while the new spot specifically will serve guests its craft beer, like the Not Far Away juicy pale ale and the Nava Mexican-style lager.—
Katelyn Umholtz,
Kansas City Star,
2 June 2026
-
The Broadway production will follow a strictly limited pre-Broadway engagement in Boston at the Emerson Colonial Theatre from July 11 through July 30.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
2 June 2026
Adverb
-
The hot chicken bao and tuna tataki are as carefully considered as the whiskey list, and the sushi at Harriet’s rooftop bar is quietly some of the best sushi in Nashville.—
Lanee Lee,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
-
The dial is then carefully domed and given a galvanic coat of gold, before translucent purple lacquer is applied by hand and fired in a kiln.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
31 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rigidly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rigidly. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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