1
a
: deficient in or devoid of flexibility
rigid price controls
a rigid bar of metal
b
: appearing stiff and unyielding
his face rigid with pain
2
a
: inflexibly set in opinion
b
: strictly observed
adheres to a rigid schedule
3
: firmly inflexible rather than lax or indulgent
a rigid disciplinarian
4
: precise and accurate in procedure
rigid control of the manufacturing process
5
of an airship
: having the outer shape maintained by a fixed framework
rigidly
adverb
rigidness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of rigid in a Sentence
The patient's legs were rigid.
He is a rigid disciplinarian.
Recent Examples on the Web
The distinction is important because a felony arrest typically entails more rigid follow-up in court and a higher likelihood of jail detention, while a misdemeanor often ends with a citation and release on the spot.
—
Robert Salonga, The Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2024
Krieps, playing Jill possessed by Elizabeth, gets slighter colder, more rigid, and more awkward.
—Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Nov. 2024
High turnout among white evangelical voters would be key to a Trump victory on November 5, but his relationship with the demographic has faced some tension as his positions on some of these social issues have at times been less rigid than those of other conservatives.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 3 Nov. 2024
Iceman is more Nix’s personality — confident, driven, rigid and dedicated.
—Matt Schubert, The Denver Post, 3 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for rigid 
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Robert Salonga, The Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2024
Krieps, playing Jill possessed by Elizabeth, gets slighter colder, more rigid, and more awkward.
—Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Nov. 2024
High turnout among white evangelical voters would be key to a Trump victory on November 5, but his relationship with the demographic has faced some tension as his positions on some of these social issues have at times been less rigid than those of other conservatives.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 3 Nov. 2024
Iceman is more Nix’s personality — confident, driven, rigid and dedicated.
—Matt Schubert, The Denver Post, 3 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for rigid
Dictionary Entries Near rigid
Cite this Entry
“Rigid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rigid. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
rigid
adjective
rig·id
ˈrij-əd 
2
a
: very fixed in one's opinion or habits : unyielding
b
: carefully observed : scrupulous
follows a rigid exercise program
3
: exact and accurate in procedure
rigidity
noun
rə-ˈjid-ət-ē
rigidly
adverb
ˈrij-əd-lē
rigidness
noun
Etymology
from Latin rigidus, "rigid," from rigēre "to be stiff" — related to rigor mortis
Medical Definition
rigid
adjective
rig·id
ˈrij-əd
: deficient in or devoid of flexibility : characterized by stiffness
rigid muscles
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