Something that is inflexible cannot be altered in any way, even if the situation changes.
Workers insisted the new system was too inflexible.
Charles was a man of settled habits and inflexible routine.
Synonyms: fixed, set, established, rooted More Synonyms of inflexible
inflexibility (ɪnfleksɪbɪlɪti)uncountable noun
The snag about an endowment mortgage is its inflexibility.
Synonyms: rigidity, stiffness, hardness, stringency More Synonyms of inflexible
2. adjective
If you say that someone is inflexible, you are criticizing them because they refuse to change their mind or alter their way of doing things.
[disapproval]
His opponents viewed him as stubborn, dogmatic, and inflexible.
Synonyms: obstinate, strict, relentless, firm More Synonyms of inflexible
inflexibilityuncountable noun [oft with poss]
Joyce was irritated by the inflexibility of her colleagues. [+ of]
Synonyms: rigidity, stiffness, hardness, stringency More Synonyms of inflexible
Synonyms: obstinacy, persistence, intransigence, obduracy More Synonyms of inflexible
More Synonyms of inflexible
inflexible in British English
(ɪnˈflɛksəbəl)
adjective
1.
not flexible; rigid; stiff
2.
obstinate; unyielding
3.
without variation; unalterable; fixed
Derived forms
inflexibility (inˌflexiˈbility) or inflexibleness (inˈflexibleness)
noun
inflexibly (inˈflexibly)
adverb
Word origin
C14: from Latin inflexībilis; see inflect
inflexible in American English
(ɪnˈflɛksəbəl)
adjective
1.
that cannot be bent or curved; stiff; rigid
2.
firm in mind or purpose; stubborn; unyielding; unshakable
3.
that cannot be changed; fixed; unalterable
an inflexible rule
SYNONYMY NOTE: inflexible implies an unyielding or unshakable firmness in mind or purpose, sometimes connotingstubbornness [his inflexible attitude]; adamant implies a firm or unbreakable resolve that remains unaffected by temptation or pleading[adamant to her entreaties]; implacable suggests the impossibility of pacifying or appeasing [implacable in his hatred]; obdurate implies a hardheartedness that is not easily moved to pity, sympathy, or forgiveness[her obdurate refusal to help]
OPPOSITES: flexible, compliant
Derived forms
inflexibility (inˌflexiˈbility)
noun or inˈflexibleness
inflexibly (inˈflexibly)
adverb
Word origin
ME < L inflexibilis: see in-2 & flexible
Examples of 'inflexible' in a sentence
inflexible
It is virtually impossible to live and work under such an inflexible administrative system.
Aganbegyan, Abel Inside Perestroika: The Future of the Soviet Economy (1990)
In the past they too often faced long waits and inflexible systems.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Projects are undertaken on a team basis and there is no rigid and inflexible formality.
Corporate Research Foundation TOP MARKETING AND MEDIA COMPANIES IN THE UK (2002)
Indeed an inflexible approach would be inconsistent with the terms of the statutory framework.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
This is a failure of parenting and education, but also of an inflexible youth justice system.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
She denied that the Framework was too rigid or inflexible.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
An inflexible approach could lead to reforms failing unnecessarily - reforms that have real potential to drive up standards and drive down costs.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
At last, British racing has shed its inflexible approach to bad weather.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Performance management is weak; pay linked to performance is controversial; pay systems are inflexible and inflationary.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
In other languages
inflexible
British English: inflexible /ɪnˈflɛksəbl/ ADJECTIVE
Something or someone that is inflexible cannot or will not change or be altered, even if the situation changes.
Workers insisted the new system was too inflexible.
American English: inflexible
Arabic: غَيْرُ مَرِنٌ
Brazilian Portuguese: inflexível
Chinese: 不灵活的
Croatian: nefleksibilan
Czech: nepružný
Danish: ubøjelig
Dutch: onbuigzaam
European Spanish: inflexible
Finnish: joustamaton
French: inflexible
German: inflexibel
Greek: άκαμπτος
Italian: inflessibile
Japanese: 頑固な
Korean: 구부러지지 않는
Norwegian: ufleksibel
Polish: nieelastyczny
European Portuguese: inflexível
Romanian: inflexibil
Russian: жесткий
Latin American Spanish: inflexible
Swedish: orubblig
Thai: ไม่ยืดหยุ่น
Turkish: esnek olmayan
Ukrainian: негнучкий
Vietnamese: không mềm dẻo
Chinese translation of 'inflexible'
inflexible
(ɪnˈflɛksɪbl)
adj
[rule, system]固定的 (gùdìng de)
[person]不灵(靈)活的 (bù línghuó de)
[object, material]不可弯(彎)曲的 (bù kě wānqū de)
1 (adjective)
Definition
(of a rule etc.) firmly fixed
He was a man of unchanging habits and an inflexible routine.
Synonyms
fixed
The locking frame can secure bikes to any fixed object.
set
A set period of fasting is supposed to bring us closer to godliness.
established
rooted
a deeply rooted prejudice
rigid
Hospital routines for nurses are very rigid.
immovable
It was declared unsafe because the support bars were immovable.
unadaptable
2 (adjective)
Definition
unwilling to be persuaded
They viewed him as stubborn, inflexible and dogmatic.
Synonyms
obstinate
He is obstinate and determined and will not give up.
strict
French privacy laws are very strict.
relentless
He was the most relentless enemy I have ever known.
firm
He held a firm belief in the afterlife.
fixed
iron
a person of icy nerve and iron will
adamant
She is adamant that she will not resign.
rigorous
rigorous military training
stubborn
He is a stubborn character used to getting his own way.
stringent
Its drug-testing procedures are the most stringent in the world.
uncompromising
She is considered a tough and uncompromising negotiator.
resolute
a decisive and resolute international leader
steely
Their indecision had been replaced by steely determination.
intractable
How can we reduce the influence of intractable opponents?
inexorable
the seemingly inexorable rise in unemployment
implacable
the threat of invasion by a ruthless and implacable enemy
steadfast
He remained steadfast in his belief that he had done the right thing.
hard and fast
There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to garden design.
unyielding
his unyielding attitude on this subject
immutable
the immutable principles of right and wrong
immovable
On one issue, however, she was immovable.
unbending
her unbending opposition to the old regime
obdurate
The administration have been obdurate defenders of the status quo.
stiff-necked
dyed-in-the-wool
unchangeable
an almost unchangeable system of laws and customs
brassbound
set in your ways
Opposites
yielding
,
flexible
,
movable
,
irresolute
3 (adjective)
Definition
incapable of being bent
The boot is too inflexible to be comfortable.
Synonyms
stiff
The film is crammed with corsets, bustles and stiff collars.