Inflexible — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /(ˌ)in-ˈflek-sə-bəl/ in·flex·i·ble

Meaning & Definition of Inflexible

Inflexible (adjective)

  1. not flexible
  2. characterized by firmness of will or purpose, unyielding
  3. not easily bent or twisted, lacking or deficient in suppleness

Inflexible (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. not capable of changing or being changed

    "the inflexible law of gravity"

    similar: fixed, hard-and-fast, immutable, inalterable, incommutable, invariable, unalterable, unchangeable
    related: changeless, constant, determinate, established, set, settled, stable, steadfast, steady, unaltered, unchanging, unvarying, immovable, unmovable
    opposite: alterable, changeable, elastic, flexible, mutable, variable
    near: adaptable, adjustable, fickle, fluctuating, inconstant, uncertain, unsettled, unstable, varying, plastic, pliable, pliant, supple, willowy

  2. incapable of or highly resistant to bending

    "shoes made of inflexible plastic hurt my feet"

    similar: rigid, stiff, stiffened, unyielding
    related: inelastic, firm, hard, solid, sound, strong, brittle, crisp, compact, dense, substantial, arthritic, rheumatic, nonelastic, nonmalleable
    opposite: flexible, floppy, pliable, pliant, supple, yielding
    near: elastic, resilient, springy, stretchy, workable, malleable, plastic, semiflexible, droopy, flabby, flaccid, mushy, semisoft, soft, squashy, squishy, lank, limber, limp, lissome, lithe, lithesome, willowy

  3. not allowing for any exceptions or loosening of standards

    "inflexible entry rules for the contest ban anyone who works for the company as well as any of their relatives"

    similar: brassbound, cast-iron, exacting, hard-line, rigid, rigorous, strict, stringent, uncompromising
    related: close, conscientious, exact, fussy, meticulous, painstaking, punctilious, scrupulous, undeviating, adamant, adamantine, determined, dogged, firm, relentless, resolved, single-minded, steadfast, stubborn, tenacious, unbending, unflinching, immovable, implacable, unappeasable, unrelenting, unsparing, unyielding, austere, demanding, flinty, grim, hard, hardened, hard-hearted, harsh, ironbound, severe, stern, tough
    opposite: flexible, lax, loose, relaxed, slack
    near: acquiescent, compliant, compromising, pliable, pliant, relenting, yielding, easy, easygoing, gentle, indulgent, kindly, lenient, merciful, mild, pampering, soft, spoiling, tolerant, neglectful, negligent, remiss, slipshod, sloppy, slovenly, unfussy

  4. sticking to an opinion, purpose, or course of action in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion

    "her inflexible father was unmoved by tears and pleading, and he grounded her anyway"

    similar: adamant, adamantine, bullheaded, dogged, hard, hard-nosed, hardened, hardheaded, headstrong, immovable, implacable, inconvincible, intransigent, mulish, obdurate, obstinate, opinionated, ossified, pat, pertinacious, perverse, pigheaded, self-opinionated, self-willed, stiff-necked, stubborn, unbending, uncompromising, unrelenting, unyielding, willful, deaf to reason
    related: anal-retentive, obsessive, wayward, wrongheaded, determined, hell-bent, inexorable, persistent, relentless, resolved, set, single-minded, steadfast, stouthearted, tenacious, unflinching, firm, hard-line, hard-shell, iron, severe, stern, strict, hidebound, narrow-minded, rigid, bloody-minded (chiefly British), cantankerous, contrary, cussed, contumacious, disobedient, froward, insubordinate, intractable, recalcitrant, refractory, uncooperative, ungovernable, unmanageable, unruly, defiant, insurgent, mutinous, indomitable, invincible, unconquerable, confirmed, inveterate, unregenerate, demanding, exacting
    opposite: acquiescent, agreeable, amenable, compliant, complying, flexible, pliable, pliant, relenting, yielding
    near: docile, obedient, placable, submissive, tractable, accepting, persuadable, receptive, responsive, willing, governable, manageable, reasonable, temperate, slavish, subservient

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Inflexible

The most common words with a similar meaning to Inflexible:

fixed, hard-and-fast, immutable, inalterable, incommutable, invariable, unalterable, unchangeable, rigid, stiff, stiffened, unyielding, brassbound, cast-iron, exacting, hard-line, rigorous, strict, stringent, uncompromising, adamant, adamantine, bullheaded, dogged, hard, hard-nosed, hardened, hardheaded, headstrong, immovable, implacable, inconvincible, intransigent, mulish, obdurate, obstinate, opinionated, ossified, pat, pertinacious

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Inflexible

Words with the opposite meaning of Inflexible:

alterable, changeable, elastic, flexible, mutable, variable, floppy, pliable, pliant, supple, yielding, lax, loose, relaxed, slack, acquiescent, agreeable, amenable, compliant, complying, relenting

Related Words for Inflexible

changeless, constant, determinate, established, set, settled, stable, steadfast, steady, unaltered, unchanging, unvarying, unmovable, inelastic, firm, solid, sound, strong, brittle, crisp, compact, dense, substantial, arthritic, rheumatic, nonelastic, nonmalleable, close, conscientious, exact

Near Antonyms of Inflexible

adaptable, adjustable, fickle, fluctuating, inconstant, uncertain, unsettled, unstable, varying, plastic, willowy, resilient, springy, stretchy, workable, malleable, semiflexible, droopy, flabby, flaccid, mushy, semisoft, soft, squashy, squishy, lank, limber, limp, lissome, lithe

Word Forms of Inflexible

Derived words: inflexibility (noun), inflexibleness (noun), inflexibly (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Inflexible

Middle English, from Latin inflexibilis, from in- + flexibilis flexible

First known use: 14th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Inflexible

What does "Inflexible" mean?

"Inflexible" means not flexible. As an adjective, it is defined as: not flexible. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Inflexible"?

Other words for "Inflexible" include fixed, hard-and-fast, immutable, inalterable, incommutable, invariable, unalterable and unchangeable. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Inflexible" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Inflexible"?

There are 140 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Inflexible". Common alternatives include fixed, hard-and-fast, immutable, inalterable, incommutable, invariable, unalterable, unchangeable, rigid and stiff.

What is the opposite of "Inflexible"?

Antonyms of "Inflexible" include alterable, changeable, elastic, flexible, mutable, variable, floppy and pliable. Near antonyms include adaptable, adjustable, fickle and fluctuating.

How do you use "Inflexible" in a sentence?

Examples of "Inflexible" in a sentence: "the inflexible law of gravity"; "shoes made of inflexible plastic hurt my feet"; "inflexible entry rules for the contest ban anyone who works for the company as well as any of their relatives".

Is "Inflexible" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Inflexible" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Inflexible"?

"Inflexible" is pronounced /(ˌ)in-ˈflek-sə-bəl/ and divided into syllables as in·flex·i·ble.

What is the origin of the word "Inflexible"?

"Inflexible" comes from Middle English, from Latin inflexibilis, from in- + flexibilis flexible. First known use: 14th century.