stiff-arm

1 of 2

verb

stiff-armed; stiff-arming; stiff-arms

transitive verb

1
2
: to treat with disdain or neglect : slight, snub

stiff-arm

2 of 2

noun

Examples of stiff-arm in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Voters in the Associated Press national poll came down with a case of collective amnesia, stubbornly bear-hugging Gonzaga in the rankings while stiff-arming the Aztecs — even after San Diego State’s double-digit win at The Kennel in Spokane. Bryce Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Jan. 2024 But their willingness to stiff-arm Zelensky also reflected eroding support among GOP voters for Ukraine’s battle against Russian President Vladimir Putin. Doyle McManus, Los Angeles Times, 24 Dec. 2023 Six-foot-eight TE Donald Parham had the longest stiff-arm in NFL history, and caught the TD just prior to halftime. Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Oct. 2023 Justin Herbert made physical plays that few quarterbacks can pull off, such as stiff-arming a 280-pound end to the turf, running away from linebackers and icing the 24-17 victory with a 51-yard strike on third-and-10 as the pocket closed on him. Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Oct. 2023 The Buccaneers’ offense had first and 10 from its own 33-yard line midway through the fourth quarter Sunday when Mayfield rushed right for a 5-yard gain, stiff-arming Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. in the process. Zach Mentz, cleveland, 13 Sep. 2023 In contrast to college football’s power brokers stiff-arming SDSU — nothing new; USC and UCLA decades ago opposed admitting SDSU to their conference — MLB has assisted the Padres. Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Sep. 2023 On the one hand, Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry is a tackle-breaking monster with a lethal stiff-arm on the NFL field. Mark Inabinett | Minabinett@al.com, al, 1 Aug. 2023 Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (Alabama): 88 Henry was rated the best in the NFL in one category – stiff-arm. Mark Inabinett | Minabinett@al.com, al, 21 July 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'stiff-arm.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1909, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun

1927, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of stiff-arm was in 1909

Dictionary Entries Near stiff-arm

Cite this Entry

“Stiff-arm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stiff-arm. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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