inflexible

/ɪnˈflɛksəbəl/

/ɪnˈflɛksɪbəl/

Something inflexible does not bend easily. A stiff back can make you inflexible, or unable to fold over and touch your toes. A really busy schedule can make you inflexible or unable to bend or accommodate your plans for others.

Combine the Latin root words in- meaning "not" and flectere, "to bend" and you have the very meaning of inflexible: not able to bend. Ballet is not for the inflexible or those people who simply are not bendy by nature. Compromise also is not for the inflexible, or those who are really rigid or set in their ways.

Definitions of inflexible

1. adjective

   resistant to being bent
   “an inflexible iron bar”

   “an inflexible knife blade”

   synonyms:

   inelastic

   not elastic

   muscle-bound

   having stiff muscles as the result of excessive exercise

   rigid, stiff

   incapable of or resistant to bending

   semirigid

   not fully rigid

   antonyms:

   flexible

   able to flex; able to bend easily

   elastic

   capable of resuming original shape after stretching or compression; springy

   bendable, pliable, pliant, waxy

   capable of being bent or flexed or twisted without breaking

   double-jointed

   having unusually flexible joints especially of the limbs or fingers

   limber, supple

   (used of persons' bodies) capable of moving or bending freely

   limber

   (used of artifacts) easily bent

   spinnable, spinnbar

   capable of being spun into fibres

   stretched

   (of muscles) relieved of stiffness by stretching
2. adjective

   incapable of change
   “a man of inflexible purpose”

   synonyms:

   adamant, adamantine, inexorable, intransigent

   impervious to pleas, persuasion, requests, or reason

   die-hard, rock-ribbed

   tradition-bound and obstinately opinionated

   fossilised, fossilized, ossified

   set in a rigidly conventional pattern of behavior, habits, or beliefs

   hard-core

   stubbornly resistant to change or improvement

   brassbound, ironclad

   inflexibly entrenched and unchangeable

   antonyms:

   flexible

   capable of being changed

   limber, supple

   (used of e.g. personality traits) readily adaptable

   negotiable, on the table

   able to be negotiated or arranged by compromise
3. adjective

   incapable of adapting or changing to meet circumstances
   “an inflexible law”

   synonyms: rigid, unbending

   unadaptable

   not adaptable
4. adjective

   not making concessions
   synonyms: sturdy, uncompromising

   hard-line, hardline

   firm and uncompromising