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
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
Atlanta was, at once, one of the most promising Black cities in the country and one of the most rigidly controlled.
—Ernie Suggs, AJC.com, 1 Feb. 2026
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
Atlanta was, at once, one of the most promising Black cities in the country and one of the most rigidly controlled.
—Ernie Suggs, AJC.com, 1 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rigidly
Adverb
-
Daily prayers and Bible study sessions are strictly regimented for the children; cellphones, computer games and secular music, among many other things, are verboten.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
18 May 2026
-
National anthems were strictly prohibited during award ceremonies.—
Caroline Price,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
Adverb
-
After each piece of leather is meticulously cut—which can be done by hand or by laser—it is carefully glued to the base and detailed with tone-on-tone stitching.—
Justin Fenner,
Robb Report,
17 May 2026
-
Use baking soda carefully to avoid harming nearby plants or larger shrubs.—
David Beaulieu,
The Spruce,
17 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rigidly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rigidly. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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