flexible
adjective
Synonyms
- adaptable
- adjustable
- alterable
- changeable
- elastic
- fluid
- malleable
- modifiable
- pliable
- variable
Example Sentences
Darren Franich, EW.com, 7 Sep. 2022 The program allows the bank to be more flexible on some clauses like supplier diversity, allowing small businesses to get a loan even if they are heavily tied to a single customer. David Benoit, WSJ, 3 Sep. 2022 The tree branches are flexible, so they can be adjusted and the base of the tree is handpainted to resemble the texture of real bark. Alyssa Gautieri, Good Housekeeping, 31 Aug. 2022 Interior seating is flexible and can be configured in different ways, with lounge-like rear seats that recline to let passengers relax. Laura Burstein, Robb Report, 22 Aug. 2022 Jassy maintained that the company is flexible, but that Amazon workers should live close enough to their office to come in within a day’s notice. Chloe Berger, Fortune, 14 Aug. 2022 Employers driving innovation toward a more flexible future of care. Isabelle Hau, Forbes, 2 Aug. 2022 Look for a way to be flexible without being impulsive. Chicago Tribune, 26 Aug. 2022 The Post Millennial article claims a source from Boston Children's Hospital said the age for gender reaffirming surgeries is flexible. Hannah Hudnall, USA TODAY, 23 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Middle English, borrowed from Latin flexibilis, from flexus (past participle of flectere "to cause to go in a different direction, bend, curve," of uncertain origin) + -ibilis -ible
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
flexible
adjective
Medical Definition
flexible
adjective
flexible
adjective
Synonyms & Similar Words
- adaptable
- adjustable
- changing
- versatile
- varying
- alterable
- elastic
- malleable
- pliable
- variable
- changeable
- modifiable
- fluid
- unstable
- fluctuating
- labile
- inconstant
- unsteady
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- inflexible
- fixed
- inelastic
- invariable
- unchangeable
- immutable
- established
- unalterable
- stable
- uniform
- set
- constant
- unadaptable
- steady
- nonmalleable
- unchanging
- unbudgeable
- ramrod
- unvarying
Synonyms & Similar Words
- relaxed
- easygoing
- unrestricted
- careless
- sloppy
- loose
- slack
- lax
- lazy
- unrestrained
- negligent
- irresponsible
- slovenly
- neglectful
- unfussy
- slipshod
- heedless
- remiss
- sloven
- derelict
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- rigid
- hard
- strict
- rigorous
- severe
- tight
- stern
- harsh
- careful
- restricted
- restrained
- conscientious
- inflexible
- exact
- meticulous
- constrained
- scrupulous
- fussy
- punctilious
- implacable
- painstaking
Synonyms & Similar Words
- adaptable
- plastic
- pliable
- pliant
- bendy
- floppy
- limber
- supple
- willowy
- modifiable
- malleable
- elastic
- lithe
- fluid
- lithesome
- variable
- lissome
- ductile
- lissom
- yielding
- limp
- flaccid
- kneadable
- semiflexible
- droopy
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- rigid
- inflexible
- stiff
- stiffened
- inelastic
- unyielding
- fragile
- brittle
- nonmalleable
- breakable
Synonyms & Similar Words
- stretch
- resilient
- stretchable
- plastic
- stretchy
- elastic
- adaptable
- rubberlike
- supple
- rubbery
- whippy
- springy
- bouncy
- malleable
- pliant
- pliable
- moldable
- ductile
- limber
- kneadable
- willowy
- lithesome
- lissom
- lithe
- lissome
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- rigid
- inflexible
- stiff
- inelastic
- solid
- compact
- hard
- firm
- unyielding
- short
- nonelastic
- brittle
- friable
- crisp
- flaky
- flakey
- crumbly
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of flexible are elastic, resilient, springy, and supple. While all these words mean "able to endure strain without being permanently injured," flexible applies to something which may or may not be resilient or elastic but which can be bent or folded without breaking.
While in some cases nearly identical to flexible, elastic implies the property of resisting deformation by stretching.
Although the words resilient and flexible have much in common, resilient implies the ability to recover shape quickly when the deforming force or pressure is removed.
The words springy and flexible are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, springy stresses both the ease with which something yields to pressure and the quickness of its return to original shape.
The words supple and flexible can be used in similar contexts, but supple applies to something that can be readily bent, twisted, or folded without any sign of injury.