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
Related Words
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
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.
And think of it this way: Inflexible folks have more to gain from yoga than contortionists do.
From Washington Post • May 13, 2010
The fact was, as the Daily Telegraph suggested, that there had been no essential change in the man whom Britain's left-wing Cartoonist David Low once labeled "Old Inflexible."
From Time Magazine Archive
Inflexible on matters of principle, the Irish are often agreeable to little concessions on matters of practice.
From Time Magazine Archive
A sixth nuclear submarine, named the Inflexible, will be added to the fleet.
From Time Magazine Archive
The Invincible and the Inflexible had left Plymouth on November 11, and had proceeded to the West Indies.
From World's War Events, Vol. I by Reynolds, Francis J. (Francis Joseph)
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.
