rigid

adjective

rig·​id ˈri-jəd 

1

a

: deficient in or devoid of flexibility

rigid price controls

a rigid bar of metal

b

: appearing stiff and unyielding

his face rigid with pain

2

a

: inflexibly set in opinion

b

: strictly observed

adheres to a rigid schedule

3

: firmly inflexible rather than lax or indulgent

a rigid disciplinarian

4

: precise and accurate in procedure

rigid control of the manufacturing process

5

of an airship : having the outer shape maintained by a fixed framework

rigidly adverb

rigidness noun

Synonyms

• brassbound
• cast-iron
• exacting
• hard-line
• inflexible
• rigorous
• strict
• stringent
• uncompromising

Choose the Right Synonym for rigid

rigid, rigorous, strict, stringent mean extremely severe or stern.

rigid implies uncompromising inflexibility.

rigid rules of conduct

rigorous implies the imposition of hardship and difficulty.

the rigorous training of recruits

strict emphasizes undeviating conformity to rules, standards, or requirements.

strict enforcement of the law

stringent suggests severe, tight restriction or limitation.

stringent standards of admission

synonyms see in addition stiff

Examples of rigid in a Sentence

The patient's legs were rigid.

He is a rigid disciplinarian.

Recent Examples on the Web

Retailers don’t appear to be prioritizing a fix for people with fractional addresses, since doing so would require removing rigid formatting parameters built into software to ensure that normal addresses get entered correctly, Bala said. —Marisa Gerber, Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2024

His half a century in politics, and his background as a Dalit at the bottom of India’s rigid caste hierarchy, helps offset Mr. Modi’s personal story. —Pragati K.b., New York Times, 23 May 2024

The most misunderstood of all generations Reports of rigid return-to-office mandates continue to dominate headlines, even though this directly contradicts the flexibility that many younger workers crave. —Holger Reisinger, Fortune, 21 May 2024

This Earth sign is inherently cautious and meticulous, which could come across as rigid or overly critical in the eyes of Sagittarius. —Valerie Mesa, Peoplemag, 18 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English rigide, from Latin rigidus, from rigēre to be stiff

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

rigid

adjective

rig·​id ˈrij-əd 

1

: not flexible : stiff, hard

2

a

: very fixed in one's opinion or habits : unyielding

b

: carefully observed : scrupulous

follows a rigid exercise program

3

: exact and accurate in procedure

rigidity

rə-ˈjid-ət-ē

noun

rigidly

ˈrij-əd-lē

adverb

rigidness noun

Etymology

from Latin rigidus, "rigid," from rigēre "to be stiff" — related to rigor mortis

Medical Definition

rigid

adjective

rig·​id ˈrij-əd 

: deficient in or devoid of flexibility : characterized by stiffness

rigid muscles