moral rigidity
Unbending ethical standards
Moral rigidity is an inflexible adherence to ethical rules regardless of context or consequences.
Someone with moral rigidity applies principles absolutely, refusing to bend even when circumstances might call for nuance or compassion: His moral rigidity made him unable to forgive even minor lapses.
The term is usually critical, suggesting that strict adherence to rules can itself become a moral failing—prioritizing consistency over wisdom or mercy.
- dogmaticAsserting opinions as facts
- inflexibleUnable to bend
- unyieldingRefusing to give way
- puritanicalExcessively strict about morals
- fire and brimstoneWrathful divine punishment imagery
sanctimonious · holier than thou · self-righteous · high horse · judgmental · unbending · strict · by the book · letter of the law · absolutist · black-and-white · legalistic · zero tolerance · pious · unforgiving · uncompromising · stiff · harsh
moral rigidityopen-mindedness
Acceptance of differing viewpoints
tolerance · intellectual humility · broadmindedness · cognitive flexibility
moral, morals, morally, morality, moralism, moralist, moralistic, moralise, moralize