1
as in strict
not allowing for any exceptions or loosening of standards
rigid enforcement of drug laws
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in tough
given to exacting standards of discipline and self-restraint
a rigid man who cannot seem to relax
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in hard
having a consistency that does not easily yield to pressure
rigid steel bars that should be able to hold the weight
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4
as in stiff
incapable of or highly resistant to bending
corsets, those rigid undergarments for women, must have been murder to wear
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5
as in tight
stretched with little or no give
make sure that the clothesline is rigid so that the longer garments don't drag on the ground
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rigid
Before the season comes to a close, a lunar eclipse in Virgo will activate your stability-seeking second house of comfort, values and personal resources, signaling a time to release rigid ways of thinking along with monetary habits that no longer serve you or align with your worth.
—
Valerie Mesa, People.com, 18 Feb. 2025
Context: Black and Latino families are fighting school inequality by filing lawsuits, challenging rigid school boundaries and pushing for more resources to poor districts, as previously reported by Axios' senior race and justice reporter Russell Contreras.
—April Rubin, Axios, 15 Feb. 2025
Among the women’s looks featured are the new relaxed trouser, the body contour collection of tops, and 50/50 rigid stretch jeans (with a rigid-front and stretch-back design).
—Lisa Lockwood, WWD, 7 Feb. 2025
As linguists and geneticists continue to untangle the origins of Indo-European languages, one thing is clear—the story of language is one of movement, change and cultural exchange, far from the rigid, nationalist narratives of the past.
—Ella Jeffries, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rigid
Valerie Mesa, People.com, 18 Feb. 2025
Context: Black and Latino families are fighting school inequality by filing lawsuits, challenging rigid school boundaries and pushing for more resources to poor districts, as previously reported by Axios' senior race and justice reporter Russell Contreras.
—April Rubin, Axios, 15 Feb. 2025
Among the women’s looks featured are the new relaxed trouser, the body contour collection of tops, and 50/50 rigid stretch jeans (with a rigid-front and stretch-back design).
—Lisa Lockwood, WWD, 7 Feb. 2025
As linguists and geneticists continue to untangle the origins of Indo-European languages, one thing is clear—the story of language is one of movement, change and cultural exchange, far from the rigid, nationalist narratives of the past.
—Ella Jeffries, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rigid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rigid
Adjective
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Four years on—late in 2024 but well in advance of the Type 00’s public debut in Miami—Robb Report was invited to Gaydon to see the result under conditions of the strictest secrecy.—
Ben Oliver,
Robb Report,
1 Mar. 2025
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While seafood imports must meet strict federal safety regulations, this catfish recall underscores the challenges of monitoring international food supply chains.—
Stephanie Gravalese,
Forbes,
1 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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This all adds up to a tough investment outlook for any business looking at Ukraine’s mineral supply.—
Energy Innovation: Policy and Technology,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
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How to Bet Timberwolves vs. Lakers Following up a game like Tuesday's would be tough for the Wolves under any circumstances, but with Edwards battling a calf injury and DiVincenzo potentially sidelined, beating the Lakers in L.A. will be that much more difficult.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Sandoval has received some pay bumps, including a temporary $10,000-a-year bonus for Hawaii special education teachers designed to alleviate shortages in that and other hard-to-staff areas.—
Alia Wong,
USA TODAY,
14 Feb. 2023
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For extra reliability, choose a suitcase with a hard shell crafted from either polycarbonate or aluminum.—
Austa Somvichian-Clausen,
Travel + Leisure,
13 Feb. 2023
Adjective
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Next is Atlético in the capital, a much stiffer assignment than a home match against a team destined for relegation.—
Henry Flynn,
Forbes,
25 Feb. 2025
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Clinton’s stiffest challenge in getting to the state semifinals may come from No.—
Matt Feld,
Boston Herald,
24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Photo: Backgrid Palmer wore her auburn hair slicked back in a tight bun, polished up by celebrity hairstylist Davontae’ Washington—a super elevated classic up-do, sculpted and smooth.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
27 Feb. 2025
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The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) forecasts a modest 0.2 percent increase in single-family home builds to start in 2025, but notes that regulatory hurdles, construction costs and tight lending conditions could slow further expansion.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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All in all, even a moderate approach was like 12-hours of rigorous cardio.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
1 Mar. 2025
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Every mortgage article is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of mortgage products.—
Kelsey Neubauer,
CNBC,
28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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My Favourite Cake has incurred the wrath of Iran’s authoritarian Islamic Republic regime due to the fact that Farhadpour is shown without a headscarf, while her character is also seen seeking companionship with an equally lonely widower and drinking wine with him.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
19 Feb. 2025
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But by ceding global leadership to authoritarian China, Trump is creating a world that will almost certainly be hostile to the United States, its prosperity, and its people.—
Michael Schuman,
The Atlantic,
19 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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On that morning of January 27, the team was a solid 26-19-3 for 55 points, or a .541 points percentage.—
Tom Layberger,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
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Monica and Joey were the first to get engaged and came out of the pods looking like the most solid couple.—
Lissete Lanuza Sáenz,
StyleCaster,
28 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rigid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rigid. Accessed 5 Mar. 2025.
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