inflexible
adjective
in·flex·i·ble (ˌ)in-ˈflek-sə-bəl 
: not flexible: such as
a
: characterized by firmness of will or purpose : unyielding
an inflexible judge
took an inflexible stance
… he pulled out of the talks, saying administration officials were being inflexible
Lloyd Grove
Lloyd GroveHis secret, it turned out, was an inflexible regimen that required a permanent diet except on certain cheating days each week … Calvin Trillin
Calvin Trillin b
: not easily bent or twisted : lacking or deficient in suppleness
an inflexible steel rod
Imbalances in any area of this soft tissue, as well as inflexible or weak hip muscles, can pull the kneecap off track … Food & Fitness Advisor
Food & Fitness Advisor c
: not easily changed : unalterable
an inflexible deadline
inflexible laws/rules
jobs with inflexible hours
inflexibility
(ˌ)in-ˌflek-sə-ˈbi-lə-tē
noun plural inflexibilities
joint inflexibility
the inflexibility of the schedule
inflexibleness
(ˌ)in-ˈflek-sə-bəl-nəs
noun inflexibly
(ˌ)in-ˈflek-sə-blē
adverb rules that are inflexibly applied
Synonyms
- fixed
- hard-and-fast
- immutable
- inalterable
- incommutable
- invariable
- unalterable
- unchangeable
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
the inflexible law of gravity shoes made of inflexible plastic hurt my feet
Recent Examples on the Web Over time, though, the pandemic has exposed how an inflexible autocracy that lacks the legitimacy conferred by the ballot box can become fixed into dangerous and self-defeating patterns of policy and behavior. Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 9 Sep. 2022 Military planning, limited by inflexible myopic generals, was woefully slow to address this radically new combat environment. Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2022 The legacy software these insurance companies used was decades old, clunky, and inflexible. Kevin Kruse, Forbes, 25 Aug. 2022 But those measures do not address the root causes of teacher resignations, including an evaluation system that feels punitive and inflexible, said Lucia Cuomo, an ESL teacher in Northeast Washington. Hannah Natanson, Washington Post, 20 Aug. 2022 Employers aren't restricted to hiring in certain geographies, and candidates won't be forced to turn down job offers due to inflexible or exclusively in-office working models. Raja Patel, Forbes, 25 July 2022 The new stadium’s capacity is problematic, too big for most of what it will be called upon to do, too inflexible to easily expand. Ken Goe For The Oregonian/oregonlive, oregonlive, 8 July 2022 In the past few years, Taylor Swift and Kanye West (who now records as Ye)—two of the most ubiquitous pop stars in the world—have either purposefully or inadvertently challenged the idea of recordings as permanent and inflexible. Amanda Petrusich, The New Yorker, 5 July 2022 Almost four out of five remote workers with inflexible schedules were looking to leave their current job. Bryan Robinson, Forbes, 1 May 2022 See More
Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 9 Sep. 2022 Military planning, limited by inflexible myopic generals, was woefully slow to address this radically new combat environment. Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2022 The legacy software these insurance companies used was decades old, clunky, and inflexible. Kevin Kruse, Forbes, 25 Aug. 2022 But those measures do not address the root causes of teacher resignations, including an evaluation system that feels punitive and inflexible, said Lucia Cuomo, an ESL teacher in Northeast Washington. Hannah Natanson, Washington Post, 20 Aug. 2022 Employers aren't restricted to hiring in certain geographies, and candidates won't be forced to turn down job offers due to inflexible or exclusively in-office working models. Raja Patel, Forbes, 25 July 2022 The new stadium’s capacity is problematic, too big for most of what it will be called upon to do, too inflexible to easily expand. Ken Goe For The Oregonian/oregonlive, oregonlive, 8 July 2022 In the past few years, Taylor Swift and Kanye West (who now records as Ye)—two of the most ubiquitous pop stars in the world—have either purposefully or inadvertently challenged the idea of recordings as permanent and inflexible. Amanda Petrusich, The New Yorker, 5 July 2022 Almost four out of five remote workers with inflexible schedules were looking to leave their current job. Bryan Robinson, Forbes, 1 May 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Latin inflexibilis, from in- + flexibilis flexible
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
inflexible
adjective
in·flex·i·ble in-ˈflek-sə-bəl
1
: not easily bent or twisted
2
: not easily influenced or persuaded
an inflexible judge
3
: not easily changed
inflexible rules
inflexible
adjective
1
as in unchangeable
not capable of changing or being changed the inflexible law of gravity Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- unchangeable
- unchanging
- fixed
- unalterable
- invariable
- immutable
- steadfast
- inalterable
- determinate
- hard-and-fast
- constant
- changeless
- established
- unvarying
- unmovable
- immovable
- incommutable
- stable
- steady
- unaltered
- settled
- set
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- flexible
- elastic
- variable
- changeable
- adaptable
- adjustable
- uncertain
- unstable
- mutable
- fickle
- alterable
- varying
- pliable
- unsettled
- plastic
- inconstant
- fluctuating
- pliant
- supple
- willowy
2
as in rigid
incapable of or highly resistant to bending shoes made of inflexible plastic hurt my feet Synonyms & Similar Words
- rigid
- stiff
- brittle
- stiffened
- unyielding
- solid
- strong
- hard
- dense
- compact
- inelastic
- sound
- crisp
- firm
- substantial
- arthritic
- rheumatic
- nonelastic
- nonmalleable
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- flexible
- pliable
- floppy
- pliant
- elastic
- workable
- resilient
- supple
- malleable
- stretchy
- yielding
- plastic
- springy
- soft
- flabby
- flaccid
- mushy
- semiflexible
- squishy
- droopy
- squashy
- limp
- willowy
- limber
- lithe
- lank
- lissome
- lithesome
- lissom
- semisoft
3
as in strict
not allowing for any exceptions or loosening of standards inflexible entry rules for the contest ban anyone who works for the company as well as any of their relatives Synonyms & Similar Words
- strict
- rigorous
- rigid
- uncompromising
- stringent
- exacting
- steadfast
- adamant
- conscientious
- stubborn
- meticulous
- unbending
- hard-line
- brassbound
- relentless
- cast-iron
- punctilious
- undeviating
- tenacious
- determined
- unyielding
- scrupulous
- implacable
- tough
- painstaking
- immovable
- adamantine
- unflinching
- fussy
- exact
- harsh
- close
- unrelenting
- stern
- resolved
- hardened
- dogged
- austere
- firm
- severe
- single-minded
- demanding
- unsparing
- ironbound
- hard
- flinty
- grim
- unappeasable
- hard-hearted
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- flexible
- loose
- lax
- slack
- relaxed
- pliable
- compliant
- easy
- pliant
- acquiescent
- lenient
- soft
- gentle
- mild
- tolerant
- merciful
- yielding
- indulgent
- easygoing
- negligent
- kindly
- compromising
- sloppy
- slovenly
- neglectful
- slipshod
- relenting
- remiss
- spoiling
- unfussy
- pampering
4
as in stubborn
sticking to an opinion, purpose, or course of action in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion her inflexible father was unmoved by tears and pleading, and he grounded her anyway Synonyms & Similar Words
- stubborn
- adamant
- steadfast
- unbending
- hardened
- intransigent
- unyielding
- obstinate
- implacable
- obdurate
- uncompromising
- immovable
- wilful
- hard
- obsessive
- ossified
- mulish
- unrelenting
- opinionated
- strict
- headstrong
- adamantine
- willful
- hardheaded
- pertinacious
- pigheaded
- perverse
- bullheaded
- rigid
- persistent
- dogged
- determined
- hard-nosed
- pat
- stiff-necked
- self-willed
- relentless
- self-opinionated
- inconvincible
- iron
- stern
- tenacious
- inexorable
- wrongheaded
- severe
- hidebound
- unflinching
- deaf to reason
- uncooperative
- defiant
- unmanageable
- cantankerous
- wayward
- resolved
- intractable
- firm
- recalcitrant
- disobedient
- contrary
- single-minded
- unruly
- contumacious
- refractory
- insubordinate
- mutinous
- ungovernable
- anal-retentive
- narrow-minded
- indomitable
- unconquerable
- invincible
- bloody-minded
- hard-line
- demanding
- exacting
- stouthearted
- hard-shelled
- inveterate
- hell-bent
- insurgent
- set
- froward
- cussed
- hard-shell
- unregenerate
- confirmed
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- flexible
- compliant
- pliable
- amenable
- pliant
- agreeable
- acquiescent
- complying
- obedient
- docile
- submissive
- tractable
- yielding
- responsive
- receptive
- willing
- reasonable
- accepting
- placable
- relenting
- slavish
- subservient
- temperate
- governable
- manageable
- persuadable
Synonym Chooser
The words rigid and stiff are common synonyms of inflexible. While all three words mean "difficult to bend," inflexible stresses lack of suppleness or pliability.
ski boots with inflexible soles
The words rigid and inflexible are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, rigid applies to something so stiff that it cannot be bent without breaking.
a rigid surfboard
The meanings of stiff and inflexible largely overlap; however, stiff may apply to any degree of this condition.
stretching keeps your muscles from becoming stiff