1
as in rigid
incapable of or highly resistant to bending
use a stiff piece of paper for the project
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in tough
difficult to endure
stiff winds
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in excessive
going beyond a normal or acceptable limit in degree or amount
don't you think that's a pretty stiff fine for such a minor infraction?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in hard
having a consistency that does not easily yield to pressure
stir two cups of flour with the remaining ingredients to make a stiff dough
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in uncomfortable
lacking social grace and assurance
felt stiff and ill-at-ease whenever she was introduced to her parents' friends
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort
we'll have a stiff climb to actually reach the summit
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in formal
marked by or showing careful attention to set forms and details
the stiff politeness with which I was greeted suggested that they weren't truly happy to see me
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in drunk
being under the influence of alcohol
seeing that the customer was more than a little stiff, the bartender offered to call a cab for him
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to cut
to deliberately ignore or treat rudely
the actress has a reputation for stiffing the press at red-carpet events
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to squeeze
to rob by the use of trickery or threats
customers who were too embarrassed to admit that they had been stiffed by an Internet company claiming to sell designer handbags
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
2
as in person
a member of the human race
one lucky stiff will get the biggest jackpot in the lottery's history
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of stiff
Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 3 Nov. 2025
Unlike stiff, clear plastic shower liners that feel hard to touch, fabric shower liners tend to be more fluid and softer.
—Shivani Vyas, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Nov. 2025
Literary Hub, 7 Aug. 2025
He is preoccupied with squaring the circle: purveying great, affordable coffee that doesn’t stiff the producer.
—Nina Caplan, Travel + Leisure, 14 July 2025
Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 2025
But there is another man, intermediately, in this room: a working stiff named William Donloe, played by Rolf Saxon.
—Mike Ryan, IndieWire, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for stiff
Adjective
Even when participants’ average blood pressure seemed healthy, those with the most erratic readings — combined with stiffer arteries — showed telltale signs of brain aging, the study found.
—Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 3 Nov. 2025
Unlike stiff, clear plastic shower liners that feel hard to touch, fabric shower liners tend to be more fluid and softer.
—Shivani Vyas, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Nov. 2025
Verb
There was frost on the inside of the windows, clothes stiff on the floor.
—Literary Hub, 7 Aug. 2025
He is preoccupied with squaring the circle: purveying great, affordable coffee that doesn’t stiff the producer.
—Nina Caplan, Travel + Leisure, 14 July 2025
Noun
After one of his clients stiffs him, Veneno runs into Muñeco (Osvaldo Sanchez), a trucker in his 40s who spends long weeks away from his estranged family, drinking and doing drugs to stay awake on the job.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 2025
But there is another man, intermediately, in this room: a working stiff named William Donloe, played by Rolf Saxon.
—Mike Ryan, IndieWire, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for stiff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stiff
Adjective
-
Sleepy Hollow’s rigid norms and rules are all ultimately just Sharon’s very strong preferences.—
Sophie Brookover,
Vulture,
31 Oct. 2025
-
The two-inch-thick seat cushion will provide ample support, and the contoured mesh back will bend to your weight, unlike rigid models made from leather or upholstery.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Whether or not Takaichi's administration is as tough on immigration issues as her campaign rhetoric suggests, some observers warn that failing to actively invest in and integrate foreign nationals into society will have lasting harm on Asia’s second-largest economy.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Without a consolidation of that vote in the final stretch, Mamdani appears tough to beat.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Its bladeless construction is designed to pull in air and powerfully circulate it around the room, all without accumulating excessive dust like standard fans do—a double plus in my book.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
24 Oct. 2025
-
And although its fats are healthy, excessive intake can still contribute to unwanted pounds.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Developed by scientists at TU Delft, the algorithm can help perform tasks at hard-to-reach infrastructure, like offshore wind turbines.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Creatures crawling out of gunk, their legs extending, their toe-webs rescinding, amoebic eyes getting harder.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Whether the show is about light slowly creeping in on the longest night or an uncomfortable journey someplace, somewhere, marching bands have only eight minutes to get through to each person’s soul.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 Oct. 2025
-
During an organized ghost-hunt weekend in 2018, the 41-year-old Connecticut resident was already feeling uncomfortable during the group’s exploration in the city’s historic downtown of the building that housed the Moon River Brewing Company, which has since closed.—
Aaron Sagers,
CNN Money,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Cue, Helm’s first rejection, abandonment, difficult emotions.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
-
This character was actually quite difficult for me.—
Gavin J Blair,
HollywoodReporter,
2 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
All are dressed in period garb — Clarkson in a gorgeous gown and her band, My Band Y’all, led by musical director and keyboardist Jason Halbert, in formal white dinner jackets typical of musical acts at the time.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
-
In Scotland, then-First Minister Nicola Sturgeon issued a formal apology in 2022 to the thousands of people – mostly women – who were accused and executed under the country’s Witchcraft Act between the 16th and 18th centuries.—
James Frater,
CNN Money,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
But marijuana consumption has gone up at the same time that alcohol consumption has gone down, and the qualitative differences between being high and being drunk translate to differences in social behavior.—
Dan Brooks,
The Atlantic,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Eilert is soon drunk and distraught over seemingly losing his manuscript, and Hedda tells her ex-lover to kill himself.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stiff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stiff. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share