inelastic

adjective

in·​elas·​tic ˌi-nə-ˈla-stik How to pronounce inelastic (audio)
Synonyms of inelasticnext
: not elastic: such as
a
: inflexible, unyielding
b
: slow to react or respond to changing conditions
inelasticity
ˌi-ni-ˌla-ˈsti-s(ə-)tē How to pronounce inelastic (audio)
(ˌ)i-ˌnē-ˌla-
noun

Examples of inelastic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Its services are essential, making demand relatively inelastic even during economic downturns. — Gurufocus, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025 There’s no easy substitute for eggs, which makes demand for them inelastic — meaning consumers and businesses generally buy the same amount no matter the cost. — Alexandra Byrne, NBC News, 5 Mar. 2025 Despite years of above-average economic growth, poverty and unemployment rates remained stubbornly inelastic. — Richard Javad Heydarian, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2014 After incorporating missing campaign data, our demand prediction accuracy improved by 4.2%, and elasticity estimates shifted by 71.2%, reclassifying many products from inelastic to low or medium elasticity categories. — Aleksandr Galkin, Forbes, 12 Sep. 2024 See All Example Sentences for inelastic

Word History

First Known Use

1748, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of inelastic was in 1748

Phrases Containing inelastic

Rhymes for inelastic

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Browse Nearby Words

inelaborate
inelastic
inelastic collision
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Cite this Entry

“Inelastic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inelastic. Accessed 29 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

inelastic

adjective
in·​elas·​tic ˌin-ə-ˈlas-tik How to pronounce inelastic (audio)
: not elastic : slow to respond to changing conditions
inelasticity
ˌin-i-ˌlas-ˈtis-ət-ē How to pronounce inelastic (audio)
noun

Medical Definition

inelastic

adjective
in·​elas·​tic ˌin-i-ˈlas-tik How to pronounce inelastic (audio)
: not elastic
inelasticity
-i-ˌlas-ˈtis-ət-ē, -ˌē-ˌlas-, -ˈtis-tē How to pronounce inelastic (audio)
noun
plural inelasticities

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