as in severity
the quality or state of being demanding or unyielding (as in discipline or criticism)
sometimes the rigidity of the headmaster's discipline was deemed excessive by even much of the faculty
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of rigidity
The establishment’s rigidity is most evident with respect to COVID’s origins.
—
Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 19 May 2025
From the rigidity of billable hours to the outdated communication systems and office politics, the system didn’t make sense.
—William Jones, USA Today, 17 May 2025
The look is a master class in contrast—the rigidity of the leather a perfect foil for the airy fabric adorning her bottom half.
—Ángela Moreno Vallejo, Glamour, 9 May 2025
Stay true to your March vote, board members, and hire an interim CPS boss who won’t risk the system’s insolvency because of the mayor’s myopic ideological rigidity.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for rigidity
Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 19 May 2025
From the rigidity of billable hours to the outdated communication systems and office politics, the system didn’t make sense.
—William Jones, USA Today, 17 May 2025
The look is a master class in contrast—the rigidity of the leather a perfect foil for the airy fabric adorning her bottom half.
—Ángela Moreno Vallejo, Glamour, 9 May 2025
Stay true to your March vote, board members, and hire an interim CPS boss who won’t risk the system’s insolvency because of the mayor’s myopic ideological rigidity.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for rigidity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rigidity
severity
Noun
-
Vaccinations remain the best way to prevent coronavirus infection and lower the risk of subsequent long COVID by reducing the severity of the initial infection and immune response.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 May 2025
-
Pete Smith, a professor of plant and soil science at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland, told me in an interview that poor soil management can also increase the severity of sand and dust storms.—
Sanam Mahoozi,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rigidity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rigidity. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share