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View synonyms for inflexible

inflexible

[ in-flek-suh-buhl ]

adjective

  1. not flexible; incapable of or resistant to being bent; rigid:

    an inflexible steel rod.

    Synonyms: unbendable, stiff

  2. 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

  3. not permitting change or variation; unalterable:

    inflexible rules.

    Synonyms: undeviating



inflexible

/ ɪnˈflɛksəbəl /

adjective

  1. not flexible; rigid; stiff
  2. obstinate; unyielding
  3. without variation; unalterable; fixed


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Derived Forms

  • inˌflexiˈbility, noun
  • inˈflexibly, adverb

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Other Words From

  • in·flexi·bili·ty in·flexi·ble·ness noun
  • in·flexi·bly adverb

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Word History and Origins

Origin of inflexible1

1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin inflexibilis “rigid, unbending.” See in- 3, flexible

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Word History and Origins

Origin of inflexible1

C14: from Latin inflexībilis; see inflect

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Synonym Study

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.

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Example Sentences

They have also characterized Sugimoto as my-way-or-the-highway inflexible, when he has made compromises and asserted only certain red lines — like the stone wall — that he feels are essential to his vision.

Expose a neural net to an unfamiliar data set or a foreign environment, and it reveals itself to be brittle and inflexible.

It took many years for the compulsive thoughts, difficult emotions, and inflexible behaviors to wear away completely.

Others say they can appreciate the tricky balancing act the USOPC faces but feel some of the organization’s decisions have been inflexible and hindered training, complicating efforts for athletes who have dealt with a year-long Olympic postponement.

On this new album, the riffs are clenched especially tight, but they aren’t inflexible.

Liberated from overstressing our backs, we suffer from weak and inflexible backs.

The ACLU, it must be acknowledged, can be rather inflexible on these matters.

When two people have to work late, who will meet that inflexible day-care pickup time?

And President Barack Obama had taken a rare inflexible stance, refusing from the start to negotiate a deal.

Some may be concerned that a system along these lines would be inflexible.

Even the stern, inflexible commander turned to hide an emotion he would have blushed to betray.

In her voice there was an inflexible sound, that seemed to tell him very clearly it meant what it was saying.

Animated, however, by the spirit of freedom, they endured their privations with inflexible fortitude.

How little he knew Eugenius, the on altogether inflexible will in all that time, so full of trouble for the Church!

The effect was gone, and there remained but the fixed, grave, inflexible features of the republican soldier.

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inflexedinflict