Synonyms for rigid
- adjective
Most common
inflexible unbending unyielding tough stiff hard fixed strict
Synonyms by meaning
Adjective
1. Inflexible — uncompromising
inflexible, unbending, unyielding, tough, stubborn, uncompromising, draconian, staunch, stanch US, rigorous, stern, stringent, austere, harsh, intransigent, obstinate, close-minded, obdurate, resolute, pig-headed, steadfast, severe, tenacious
2. Stiff — stiff, rather than flexible
stiff, hard, tight, solid, ossified, taut, starched, inelastic, firm, formal, tense, stark, frozen, frigid, sturdy, hardened, punctilious, prim
3. Fixed — fixed, rather than moving
fixed, unmovable, stable, unmoving, static, immobile, immovable, stuck, stationary, immotile, unchangeable, changeless
4. Strict
Other
Definitions
- adj. 1
Stiff, rather than flexible.
- adj. 2
Fixed, rather than moving.
- adj. 3
Uncompromising.
Despite arguments to the contrary, she remained rigid in her stand.
- adj. 4
Having inflexible thoughts, opinions, or beliefs.
Choose the right word
Rigorous is nearly akin to rigid, but is a stronger word, having reference to action or active qualities, as rigid does to state or character; a rigid rule may be rigorously enforced.
J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)
Example sentences
- stubborn I'm not stubborn; i'm just always right, thats it.
- inflexible As one grows older they also become more inflexible.
- unyielding His unyielding character doesn't please me at all.
- solid Water is liquid. It becomes solid when it freezes.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| rigid | falling | |
| stubborn | rising | |
| inflexible | steady | |
| unyielding | rising | |
| unbending | steady | |
| solid | steady |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 3 letters
- set1
- 4 letters
- hard1, firm1, taut1, prim1
- 5 letters
- tough1, solid2, fixed1, stuck1, tight1, harsh1, tense1, stark1, stern1, stiff1
- 6 letters
- severe2, formal2, stable2, frozen2, strict1, static2, sturdy2, frigid2, stanch1
- 7 letters
- staunch1, austere2
- 8 letters
- stubborn2, rigorous3, hardened2, resolute3, immobile3, starched1, ossified3, unmoving, obdurate3, immotile3
- 9 letters
- religious3, stringent2, steadfast2, tenacious3, draconian4, immovable4, obstinate3, inelastic4, unbending3, unmovable, puritanic
- 10 letters
- stationary4, inflexible4, unyielding3, changeless
- 11 letters
- puritanical5, punctilious4
- 12 letters
- unchangeable, intransigent4
- 14 letters
- uncompromising5
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (solid2 = 2 syllables).