Rigidity: meaning, definitions and examples

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rigidity

 

[ rษชหˆdส’ษชdษ™ti ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

in behavior

The quality or state of being rigid; rigor mortis: the state of being stiff and inflexible. In behavior, rigidity refers to an unwillingness to change or adapt, often associated with stubbornness and resistance to new ideas or perspectives.

Synonyms

inflexibility, stiffness, stubbornness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
rigidity

Applicable in formal or technical settings to describe strict or unyielding properties, often in a physical or structural context.

  • The rigidity of the building's framework ensured its stability during the earthquake
stiffness

Typically describes physical resistance to movement or flexibility, can be used in both literal physical contexts or to describe formal behaviors and attitudes.

  • He felt a stiffness in his muscles after the long hike
inflexibility

Used to describe an unwillingness to adapt or change, often in terms of policies, rules, or personal attitudes, and may carry a slightly negative connotation.

  • Her inflexibility regarding the project guidelines frustrated the team members
stubbornness

This word describes a strong unwillingness to change opinions or actions, often seen in a negative light, highlighting someone's refusal to listen to reason or adapt.

  • His stubbornness in refusing to ask for directions made them lose an hour on the trip

Examples of usage

  • He exhibited a certain rigidity in his beliefs, refusing to consider any alternative viewpoints.
  • Her rigidity in following the rules made her unpopular among her colleagues.
  • The rigidity of his thinking prevented him from seeing the bigger picture.
Context #2 | Noun

in material

The resistance of a material to bending or deforming; the ability of a material to maintain its shape under stress. In material science, rigidity is a measure of the stiffness and strength of a material.

Synonyms

resistance, stiffness, strength.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
rigidity

This word is often used to describe something that is hard, inflexible, or not able to be bent. It can also refer to a lack of flexibility in thinking or policies.

  • The rigidity of the steel beam made it ideal for construction.
  • The manager's rigidity in following rules left no room for creativity.
stiffness

This term is used to describe something that is not easily bent or changed in shape. It can also refer to a lack of ease or fluidity in movement, either physically or metaphorically.

  • The stiffness of his movements suggested he was in pain.
  • The stiffness of the fabric made the dress less comfortable to wear.
strength

Strength generally refers to the ability to withstand forces, pressure, or wear. It can be physical, emotional, or moral.

  • The strength of the building materials ensured the structure's durability.
  • Her strength in facing adversity inspired everyone around her.
resistance

Resistance is commonly used to refer to the act of opposing or standing against something. It can apply to physical force, social movements, or even emotional reluctance.

  • The resistance of the material to heat made it perfect for the experiment.
  • There was significant resistance to the new policy changes among employees.

Examples of usage

  • The rigidity of the steel beam allowed it to support heavy loads without bending.
  • The rigidity of the plastic casing protected the delicate electronics inside.
  • The rigidity of the material was crucial for the stability of the structure.

Translations

Translations of the word "rigidity" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น rigidez

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค•เค เฅ‹เคฐเคคเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Steifigkeit

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ kekakuan

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะถะพั€ัั‚ะบั–ัั‚ัŒ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ sztywnoล›ฤ‡

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๅ‰›ๆ€ง (ใ”ใ†ใ›ใ„)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท rigiditรฉ

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ rigidez

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท sertlik

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๊ฒฝ์ง (gyeongjik)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุตู„ุงุจุฉ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ tuhost

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ tuhosลฅ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅˆšๆ€ง (gฤng xรฌng)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ togost

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ stรญfleiki

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ า›ะฐั‚ั‚ั‹ะปั‹า›

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒกแƒ˜แƒ›แƒขแƒ™แƒ˜แƒชแƒ”

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ sษ™rtlik

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ rigidez

Etymology

The word 'rigidity' originated from the Latin word 'rigidus', which means stiff or unyielding. The concept of rigidity has been explored in various fields such as physics, engineering, and psychology. In physics, rigidity is related to the resistance of an object to deformation. In psychology, rigidity is often associated with personality traits such as stubbornness and resistance to change. The term has been used since the 16th century to describe the quality of being stiff or inflexible.

See also: rigidly, rigidness.

Word Frequency Rank

Position #9,869 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.