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inflexibility

 - 3 dictionary results

in⋅flex⋅i⋅ble

  [in-flek-suh-buhl]
Use inflexibility in a Sentence
–adjective
1. not flexible; incapable of or resistant to being bent; rigid: an inflexible steel rod.
2. of a rigid or unyielding temper, purpose, will, etc.; immovable: an inflexible determination.
3. not permitting change or variation; unalterable: inflexible rules.
Origin:
1350–1400; ME < L inflexibilis rigid, unbending. See in- 3 , flexible

Related forms:
in⋅flex⋅i⋅bil⋅i⋅ty, in⋅flex⋅i⋅ble⋅ness, noun
in⋅flex⋅i⋅bly, adverb

Synonyms:
1. unbendable, stiff. 2. rigorous, stern, unrelenting, unremitting, stubborn, obstinate, intractable, obdurate, unbending, adamant. 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. 3. undeviating.

Antonyms:
2. amenable.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To inflexibility
in·flex·i·ble   (ĭn-flěk'sə-bəl)   
adj.  

  1. Not easily bent; stiff or rigid.

  2. Incapable of being changed; unalterable.

  3. Unyielding in purpose, principle, or temper; immovable.

in·flex'i·bil'i·ty, in·flex'i·ble·ness n., in·flex'i·bly adv.
Synonyms: These adjectives mean not capable of being swayed or diverted from a course. Inflexible implies unyielding adherence to fixed principles or purposes: My boss is inflexible on many issues.
Inexorable implies lack of susceptibility to persuasion: "Cynthia was inexorable—she would have none of him" (Winston Churchill).
It also describes things that are inevitable, relentless, and often severe in effect: "Russia's final hour, it seemed, approached with inexorable certainty" (W. Bruce Lincoln).
Adamant implies imperviousness to pleas or appeals: He is adamant about leaving right now.
Obdurate implies hard, callous resistance to tender feelings: The child's misery would move even the most obdurate heart. See Also Synonyms at stiff.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

inflexible 
c.1400, "incapable of being bent, rigid," from L. inflexibilis, from inflexus, pp. of inflectere, from in- "not" + flectere "to bend." Fig. sense of "unbending in temper or purpose" first attested 1398.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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