Definition 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]
Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
British English pronunciation
American English pronunciation
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Word Frequency
inflexible in British English
adjective
2.
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Derived forms
inflexibility (inˌflexiˈbility) or inflexibleness (inˈflexibleness) noun
inflexibly (inˈflexibly)
adverb
Word origin
C14: from Latin inflexībilis; see inflectWord Frequency
inflexible in American English
adjective
SYNONYMY NOTE: inflexible implies an unyielding or unshakable firmness in mind or purpose, sometimes connoting
stubbornness [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]2.
3.
that cannot be changed; fixed; unalterable
an inflexible rule
OPPOSITES: flexible, compliant
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Derived forms
inflexibility (inˌflexiˈbility)
noun or inˈflexibleness
inflexibly (inˈflexibly)
adverb
Word Frequency
inflexible in American English
(ɪnˈfleksəbəl)
adjective
SYNONYMS 1. unbendable, stiff. 2. rigorous, stern, unrelenting, unremitting, stubborn, obstinate, intractable, obdurate,
unbending, adamant. inflexible, relentless, implacable, inexorable imply having the quality of not being turned from a purpose. inflexible means unbending, adhering undeviatingly to a set plan, purpose, or the like: inflexible in interpretation of rules; an inflexible will. relentless suggests so pitiless and unremitting a pursuit of purpose as to convey a sense of
inevitableness: as relentless as the passing of time. implacable means incapable of being placated or appeased: implacable in wrath. inexorable means unmoved by prayer or entreaty: inexorable in demanding payment. 3. undeviating.ANTONYMS 2. amenable.Most material © 2005, 1997, 1991 by Penguin Random House LLC. Modified entries © 2019
by Penguin Random House LLC and HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
Derived forms
inflexibility or inflexibleness noun
inflexibly
adverb
Examples of 'inflexible' in a sentence
inflexible
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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 /ɪnˈflɛksɪbəl/
- 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
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inflexible
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Definition of inflexible from the Collins English Dictionary
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