inflexible
Americanadjective
-
not flexible; incapable of or resistant to being bent; rigid.
an inflexible steel rod.
- Synonyms:
- stiff, unbendable
-
of a rigid or unyielding temper, purpose, will, etc.; immovable.
an inflexible determination.
- Synonyms:
- adamant, unbending, obdurate, intractable, obstinate, stubborn, unremitting, unrelenting, stern, rigorous
- Antonyms:
- amenable
-
not permitting change or variation; unalterable.
inflexible rules.
- Synonyms:
- undeviating
adjective
-
not flexible; rigid; stiff
-
obstinate; unyielding
-
without variation; unalterable; fixed
Synonym Usage
Inflexible, relentless, implacable, inexorable imply having the quality of not being turned from a purpose. Inflexible means unbending, adhering undeviatingly to a set plan, purpose, or the like: inflexible in interpretation of rules; an inflexible will. Relentless suggests so pitiless and unremitting a pursuit of purpose as to convey a sense of inevitableness: as relentless as the passing of time. Implacable means incapable of being placated or appeased: implacable in wrath. Inexorable means unmoved by prayer or entreaty: inexorable in demanding payment.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of inflexible
1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin inflexibilis “rigid, unbending.” See in- 3, flexible
Explanation
Something inflexible does not bend easily. A stiff back can make you inflexible, or unable to fold over and touch your toes. A really busy schedule can make you inflexible or unable to bend or accommodate your plans for others. Combine the Latin root words in- meaning "not" and flectere, "to bend" and you have the very meaning of inflexible: not able to bend. Ballet is not for the inflexible or those people who simply are not bendy by nature. Compromise also is not for the inflexible, or those who are really rigid or set in their ways.
Vocabulary lists containing inflexible
Resistance is Futile: Synonyms for "Stubborn"
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"Just Lather, That's All" and "The Woman Who Was Death"
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Hard Times
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“Market volatility isn’t going to ruin you. It’s that, plus inflexible spending, that is the problem,” she said.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 30, 2026
If Anthropic was too inflexible, the Pentagon could have simply terminated the contract.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026
His daughter switched schools two years ago, and one of the main reasons was her school's inflexible uniform policy, he says.
From BBC • Feb. 21, 2026
Some union leaders were also contesting museum director Laurence des Cars' management style which they view as remote and inflexible.
From Barron's • Jan. 19, 2026
The one inflexible event on our weekly schedule was Sunday morning religious services.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
