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"
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
"Just Lather, That's All" and "The Woman Who Was Death"
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Hard Times
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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 yet the ultimate irony of the Geffen building is that its doctrine of a rigorously nonhierarchical museum, giving visitors absolute freedom to discover their own connections, is strenuously inflexible.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026
It said after consistently losing money, NCP could no longer afford to pay its creditors and was unable to scrap "long-term, inflexible" leases on loss-making sites.
From BBC • Mar. 16, 2026
But 75 percent of electricity is still generated by coal-fired power plants, with inflexible operations and long-term coal power purchase agreements hampering renewable uptake.
From Barron's • Jan. 25, 2026
Kyle Boddy, the founder of Driveline, the seminal program for velocity training, said a hard-throwing pitcher is not going to manage his velocity on an inflexible pitch count.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 18, 2026
As much as I found Robbie to be snippy and inflexible, I’d also internalized her devotion to rigor.
From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama
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.
