Synonyms of rigidity

rigidity

noun

rə-ˈji-də-tē 

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

• severity
• rigidness
• inflexibility
• strictness
• sternness
• hardness
• stringency
• harshness
• rigorousness
• rigor
• exactingness
• obduracy
• implacability
• callousness
• gruffness
• steadfastness
• resolve
• pitilessness
• monasticism
• firmness
• obstinacy
• stubbornness
• determination
• dourness
• hard-heartedness
• asceticism
• obdurateness
• austerity
• austereness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• flexibility
• tolerance
• gentleness
• softness
• patience
• tenderness
• indulgence
• kindness
• laxness
• responsiveness
• willingness
• forbearance
• mildness
• compliance
• lenience
• pliability
• pliancy

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of rigidity

Those dates were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and later canceled following Dion's 2022 diagnosis of stiff-person syndrome, a rare neurological disorder that includes rigidity and stiffness of certain areas of the body, causing unsteadiness, slower movements and difficulties walking. —Shafiq Najib, ABC News, 30 Mar. 2026

Lyons also questioned the rigidity of the outdoor-workout requirement. —Lily Hautau, CNN Money, 21 Mar. 2026

Gosling voices the film’s thought-provoking questions about victimization and villainy with full commitment, and his rigidity — that tall posture, those limitless eyes — add another layer to the work. —Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026

While Williams is concerned with rigidity and response, Paralympic snowboarder Mike Schultz is focused on suspension. —Emily Chen-Newton, NPR, 13 Mar. 2026