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

His secret, it turned out, was an inflexible regimen that required a permanent diet except on certain cheating days each week …

—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

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

Choose the Right Synonym for inflexible

inflexible, obdurate, adamant mean unwilling to alter a predetermined course or purpose.

inflexible implies rigid adherence or even servile conformity to principle.

inflexible in their demands

obdurate stresses hardness of heart and insensitivity to appeals for mercy or the influence of divine grace.

obdurate in his refusal to grant clemency

adamant implies utter immovability in the face of all temptation or entreaty.

adamant that the work should continue

synonyms see in addition stiff

Examples of inflexible in a Sentence

the inflexible law of gravity

shoes made of inflexible plastic hurt my feet

Recent Examples on the Web

Joella was voted in the bottom alongside Kori King, and due to a combination of her bulky, inflexible outfit and her not knowing the words to the lip sync song, she was asked to sashay away. —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 25 Jan. 2025

The Salem witch trials—just a decade before his birth—were a brutal example of the dangers of inflexible belief systems. —Michael Sheldrick, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025

One reason for our collective frustration is that government programs still mimic the outdated assembly line, which uses identical parts (inflexible regulations) to mass produce an identical product (a social outcome). —Libby Schaaf, TIME, 13 Jan. 2025

If that were so, gestures would be a relatively limited, inflexible mode of communication — not much like language or human gestures at all. —Brandon Keim, New York Times, 21 Jan. 2025

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 (ˈ)in-ˈflek-sə-bəl 

1

: not easily bent or twisted : rigid, stiff

2

: not easily influenced or persuaded : firm

3

: incapable of change : unalterable

inflexible laws

inflexibility

(ˌ)in-ˌflek-sə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

noun

inflexibly

(ˈ)in-ˈflek-sə-blē 

adverb