rigid

adjective

rig·​id ˈri-jəd 

1

a

: deficient in or devoid of flexibility

rigid price controls

a rigid bar of metal

b

: appearing stiff and unyielding

his face rigid with pain

2

a

: inflexibly set in opinion

b

: strictly observed

adheres to a rigid schedule

3

: firmly inflexible rather than lax or indulgent

a rigid disciplinarian

4

: precise and accurate in procedure

rigid control of the manufacturing process

5

of an airship : having the outer shape maintained by a fixed framework

rigidly adverb

rigidness noun

Synonyms

• brassbound
• cast-iron
• exacting
• hard-line
• inflexible
• rigorous
• strict
• stringent
• uncompromising

Choose the Right Synonym for rigid

rigid, rigorous, strict, stringent mean extremely severe or stern.

rigid implies uncompromising inflexibility.

rigid rules of conduct

rigorous implies the imposition of hardship and difficulty.

the rigorous training of recruits

strict emphasizes undeviating conformity to rules, standards, or requirements.

strict enforcement of the law

stringent suggests severe, tight restriction or limitation.

stringent standards of admission

synonyms see in addition stiff

Example Sentences

The patient's legs were rigid.

He is a rigid disciplinarian.

Recent Examples on the Web

Establish ground rules Determine what ethical nonmonogamy looks like to you both and agree on your parameters — more rigid rules may be best when starting out — and plan to keep the conversation going. —Ian Kerner, CNN, 19 Feb. 2023

And rigid rules — students may only go after their target and never endanger anyone else. —Sun Sentinel, 15 Feb. 2023

The situation is even more rigid for companies that own their office buildings because commercial mortgages are refinanced at the end of the original loan period, not during. —Paolo Confino, Fortune, 7 Feb. 2023

The reason is that people who are more rigid in their thinking often don’t have backup plans. —Kelyn Soong, Anchorage Daily News, 2 Jan. 2023

Now is not the time to be rigid about pricing strategies as customer retention risk grows. —John Jarosz, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2022

These are often shorter than classic skis, and are more rigid to prevent too much torsional flex during each lateral push. —Maggie Slepian, Popular Mechanics, 13 Dec. 2022

The fingers could even tell the difference between rigid and soft internal materials and the soft outer silicone coating. —Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 20 Feb. 2023

Avoid shoes made of materials that are rigid and not flexible. —Sarah Edlin, Health, 14 Feb. 2023

See More

Word History

Etymology

Middle English rigide, from Latin rigidus, from rigēre to be stiff

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

rigid

adjective

rig·​id ˈrij-əd 

1

: not flexible : stiff, hard

2

a

: very fixed in one's opinion or habits : unyielding

b

: carefully observed : scrupulous

follows a rigid exercise program

3

: exact and accurate in procedure

rigidity

rə-ˈjid-ət-ē

noun

rigidly

ˈrij-əd-lē

adverb

rigidness noun

Etymology

from Latin rigidus, "rigid," from rigēre "to be stiff" — related to rigor mortis

Medical Definition

rigid

adjective

rig·​id ˈrij-əd 

: deficient in or devoid of flexibility : characterized by stiffness

rigid muscles