rigidly

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'rigidly' is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is an adverb that means in a stiff and inflexible manner. Example: The coach enforced the new training rules rigidly, with no exceptions for anyone on the team.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I think there will be an absolutely, rigidly defined piece of legislation that safeguards the actions of doctors if they perform an abortion to save the life of the mother.

The Guardian

A few films (think The Full Monty, or Trainspotting) managed to straddle these camps, but by and large the boundaries were rigidly defined.

The Guardian - Film

More so, perhaps, because the spotted orchids, standing rigidly upright among swaying fescues, crested dog's tail and Yorkshire fog grasses, were too numerous to count.

The Guardian

Trying to stick too rigidly to a plan can also mean that if life throws you a curveball, it can knock you sideways.

The Guardian

The notion that this syndicate of 168 GOP party elders, a group for whom I once labored, should rigidly determine the party's policy agenda is a profoundly malignant affliction.

The Guardian - Opinion

Cowell has never been an standard-bearer for artistic genius – his recording successes revolve mostly around bubblegum boybands and cover-version soul divas, and his TV shows are rigidly formatted New Faces derivatives – but then again, no one ever went broke in the movie business by underestimating the audience.

The Guardian - Film

"The world is moving so fast that setting a policy on how to launch something and sticking rigidly to that seems desperate," says Stuart Murphy, entertainment director of Sky.

The Guardian

German building workers stick rigidly to their craft skills; a carpenter is not supposed to lug sacks of cement, and the electrician will not help the plumber.

The Economist

Though the government has stuck rigidly to its own target for the fiscal deficit (of less than 3% of GDP), Mr Castro refuses to contemplate any plan that would result in social-spending cuts in a country proud of its education and health systems.Cuba also wants to pick and choose which countries it pays back.

The Economist

In Texas, a rigidly conservative Republican replaced a slightly more pliable one.

The Economist

But at the same time, he made clear that he was quite prepared to put his country on yet another collision course with Brussels rather than "destroy growth" by sticking too rigidly to France's fiscal commitments.The prime minister's speech to a rowdy parliament was strong on passion.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rigidly" when you want to emphasize a lack of flexibility or deviation from a standard or rule. It's suitable when describing processes, systems, or behaviors that are strictly controlled or maintained.

Common error

Avoid using "rigidly" in situations where flexibility or creativity is desired. Overusing it can make your writing sound overly formal or critical, especially when describing artistic or innovative endeavors.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "rigidly" primarily functions to modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, indicating the manner in which an action is performed or a state is maintained. It conveys a sense of strictness, inflexibility, and lack of deviation. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Formal & Business

27%

Science

24%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rigidly" is a versatile adverb meaning in a stiff and inflexible manner. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English. It primarily modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, emphasizing strict adherence to rules, standards, or plans without any deviation. It's frequently found in news and media, formal and business documents, and scientific publications. Related alternatives include "inflexibly", "strictly", and "firmly". When employing "rigidly", make sure it suits the context; avoid overusing it in creative settings where flexibility is valued. Be confident in using the term "rigidly" to clearly convey a lack of compromise or movement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inflexibly

Emphasizes the lack of flexibility or adaptability.

strictly

Highlights adherence to rules or standards without deviation.

firmly

Focuses on a strong and unwavering manner.

unyieldingly

Stresses the refusal to give way or compromise.

dogmatically

Implies an adherence to principles without questioning or adaptation.

precisely

Highlights accuracy and exactness in execution or application.

fixedly

Emphasizes a state of being firmly set or determined.

uncompromisingly

Suggests a refusal to make concessions or adjustments.

stringently

Focuses on the imposition of strict or severe measures.

immovably

Indicates a resistance to change or movement.

FAQs

How to use "rigidly" in a sentence?

"Rigidly" is an adverb, so it modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. For example, "The rules were "strictly enforced"", or "He adhered "unyieldingly to" the plan".

What can I say instead of "rigidly"?

You can use alternatives like "inflexibly", "strictly", or "firmly" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "rigidly enforced" or "strictly enforced"?

Both "rigidly enforced" and ""strictly enforced"" are correct, but they have slightly different connotations. "Rigidly enforced" emphasizes the lack of flexibility, while "strictly enforced" highlights adherence to the rules. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "rigidly" and "firmly"?

"Rigidly" suggests an unyielding and inflexible approach, while "firmly" suggests strength and resolve. You would use "rigidly" when emphasizing a lack of flexibility and "firmly" when emphasizing a strong stance.