INFLEXIBILITY Synonyms: 46 Similar and Opposite Words

inflexibility

noun

Definition of inflexibility

as in severity

the quality or state of being demanding or unyielding (as in discipline or criticism) the principal's inflexibility in matters of discipline is the stuff of school legend

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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 inflexibility And many folks thought that that was a type of dogmatism and inflexibility that was not productive. — Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2026 But there is also such a thing as being too good, where your own purity takes precedence over all else, leading to inflexibility and inaction. — Shadi Hamid, Time, 3 Nov. 2025 The frustration is in the inflexibility. — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 20 Feb. 2026 The Red Sox could also try to move on from Masataka Yoshida, though his contract, injury history and positional inflexibility will hamper his trade value. — Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 16 Jan. 2026 Before Ramos’ injury, rookie Bryce Eldridge was receiving inconsistent playing time, partly due to the roster’s inflexibility. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 28 June 2026 An impressive defensive coach, he has occasionally been criticized for a certain regular season inflexibility in his rotations and overplaying his best contributors. — Alex Kirschenbaum, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Sep. 2025 However, the reality is that the inherent inflexibility of immutability is essential to ensuring business resiliency and provides the invaluable peace of mind that comes with knowing data will always be there, ready to be recovered, no matter what. — David Bennett, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025 Roster inflexibility could further complicate matters. — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for inflexibility

Noun

Emergency drain cleaning runs $400 to $1,000 or more, depending on severity.

— Sharon Wu, USA Today, 4 July 2026
While most wildfires in the past burned slowly across the forest floor, providing benefits to the forest, high-severity fires roar into the tops of the trees, burning 1,000 degrees or hotter, with flames that can reach 200 feet tall.

— Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 3 July 2026

Definition of severity

Noun

There may not be quite as many small-time sailors in the harbor this time, owing to the rigidity that has become inevitable since the 9/11 attacks, but plenty of weekend captains will make their way here.

— Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 30 June 2026
Ekman’s seven-point system, however useful as a package, leans toward rigidity, turning the face once again into a surface to be decoded.

— Cal Revely-Calder, New Yorker, 29 June 2026

Definition of rigidity

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inflects

inflexibility

inflexible

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“Inflexibility.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inflexibility. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of inflexibility

noun

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