procrustean
Brutally enforcing uniformity
Procrustean describes enforcing uniformity through violent or arbitrary means—cutting or stretching to fit a standard rather than adapting the standard to fit reality.
From Procrustes, a figure in Greek mythology who made travelers fit his bed by either stretching them or cutting off their legs.
A procrustean approach ignores natural variation: The procrustean educational system treats all students identically.
State of being identical
- standardizationImplementing uniform technical specifications
- homogeneityState of sameness throughout
- one-size-fits-allMeant for anybody
- cookie-cutterMold for baked treats
compliance · orthodoxy · regimentation · normalization · assimilation · homogenization · lockstep · sameness
Unable to bend
- rigidUnable to bend
- unyieldingRefusing to give way
- unbendingRefusing to change position
- uncompromisingRefusing to yield ground
intransigent · dogmatic · hardline · strict · arbitrary · absolutist · unaccommodating · obstinate
Compelling through pressure
- compulsionIrresistible urge to act
- impositionUnfair demand on someone
- enforcementCompelling compliance with rules
- subjugationForcing into submission
oppression · tyranny · domination · authoritarianism · despotism · repression · mandate · dictation
Furniture for slumber
- GreekOf Athenian origin
- TheseusAthenian hero, beast-slayer
- AtticaGreek region containing Athens
- mythTraditional explanatory tale
legend · innkeeper · bandit · highwayman · traveler · torture · hospitality · irony
Extending muscles or material
- cuttingDividing via sharp edge
- trimmingCutting away excess
- loppingCutting away branches
- amputatingSurgically removing a limb
squeezing · compressing · warping · mutilating · mangling · contorting · reshaping · truncating
uniformity
State of being identical
- standardizationImplementing uniform technical specifications
- homogeneityState of sameness throughout
- one-size-fits-allMeant for anybody
cookie-cutter · compliance · orthodoxy · regimentation · normalization · assimilation · homogenization · lockstep · sameness · conventionality
inflexible
Unable to bend
- rigidUnable to bend
- unyieldingRefusing to give way
- unbendingRefusing to change position
uncompromising · intransigent · dogmatic · hardline · strict · arbitrary · absolutist · unaccommodating · obstinate · implacable
forcing
Compelling through pressure
- compulsionIrresistible urge to act
- impositionUnfair demand on someone
- enforcementCompelling compliance with rules
subjugation · oppression · tyranny · domination · authoritarianism · despotism · repression · mandate · dictation · heavy-handedness
bed
Furniture for slumber
myth · legend · innkeeper · bandit · highwayman · traveler · torture · hospitality · irony · punishment
stretching
Extending muscles or material
amputating · squeezing · compressing · warping · mutilating · mangling · contorting · reshaping · truncating · shortening
procrusteanaccommodating
Willing to help others
flexible · adaptive · individualized · bespoke · personalized
procrusteanadaptable
Able to adjust readily
responsive · context-sensitive · case-by-case · situational · malleable