1
as in strict
not allowing for any exceptions or loosening of standards
rigid enforcement of drug laws
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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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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rigid
The rigid content licensing models Disney contends Dish is bound by run up against the on-demand experience viewers expect.
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Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 5 Jan. 2026
Earlier generations of robots were slow and rigid, limited to highly predictable tasks.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 4 Jan. 2026
However, a multi-material 3D printer would be especially helpful, because these kirigamoids require hinges from a material that can flex, and tiles from materials that remain rigid.
—New Atlas, 4 Jan. 2026
Maduro inherited a nation strained by falling oil production and entrenched corruption, but his administration’s response — defined by economic mismanagement, rigid ideological controls and deepening authoritarianism — sharply accelerated the country’s unraveling.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rigid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rigid
Adjective
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Capping those rates could backfire, resulting in significantly stricter lending standards and making credit unavailable to lower-income people or those with lower credit scores.—
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Per his release, the rapper must follow strict guidelines for the next five years, such as no alcohol, drug testing, and federal supervision when opening bank accounts.—
Adjective
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This leads to families having to make tough decisions, said Cindy Kincaid, family caregiver program manager at Centralina Regional Council.—
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She's been amazing, a sort of brutal support, tough lover, very educational.—
Adjective
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Of all my books, Helm has been so hard and so lovingly written.—
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Regardless, making amends with Ronnie is harder than Lilly would like.—
Adjective
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Pinto got the extension, but was left off the Olympic roster amidst stiff competition for centre roles.—
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The president’s bows were aloof and stiff.—
Adjective
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Loveland caught eight passes for 137 yards for the Bears, who had closed the regular season with tight losses to San Francisco and Detroit.—
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As temperatures drop and humidity plummets, the skin’s natural moisture levels decline faster, fine lines look more pronounced, and that tight, uncomfortable feeling can become a near-daily occurrence.—
Adjective
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Every credit card review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors.—
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The Encinitas Green Business Network provides a rigorous framework for local organizations to reduce their environmental footprint through actionable, practical, and high-impact improvements.—
Adjective
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Seizures of National Park protected land, destruction of our White House, massive banners of his photo draped on the Department of Labor and USDA buildings — please tell me how Trump’s authoritarian actions are any different from Vladimir Putin or Saddam Hussein?—
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Yet the president told The New York Times on Wednesday that US oversight of Venezuela could last for years, following its toppling of the country’s authoritarian leader, Nicolás Maduro.—
Adjective
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Even with the affair, David's alibi appeared to be solid, so Belinda's murder went unsolved for years.—
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Polka dots bring visual interest without overwhelming a look, pairing easily with solid staples.—
Cite this Entry
“Rigid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rigid. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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